After a disappointing test series against Sri Lanka, Pakistan bounced back emphatically to whitewash Sri Lanka in the five match One Day International series being played in the United Arab Emirates. The series victory is Pakistan’s second major achievement in the One Day International circuit in a few months after the Champions Trophy triumph back in June. The improved performances follow a long slump which saw Pakistan take a serious dip in rankings.
The series saw a number of very promising performances from Pakistan’s young crop of cricketers. Young batting sensation Babar Azam finished the series with 303 runs to his name in merely four innings, one of these innings was a not out knock. Babar scores two centuries and a half century during the four innings. His back to back centuries against Sri Lanka in the first two One Day Internationals saw him climb to number four spot in ICC One Day International rankings. Babar Azam now has an impressive seven limited over centuries to his name in merely 36 matches. He averages a mind blowing 58+ with the bat at the strike rate of 85+.
Another impressive prospect that has emerged for Pakistan is the young pacer Hassan Ali. Hassain who made his limited over debut for Pakistan roughly just over a year ago is now ranked as the number one bowler in limited over cricket. The pacer has so far played six-limited over series for Pakistan emerging as the leading wicket taker for Pakistan in five of them and he continued this streak in the most recent series as well. Hassan finished the series as the leading wicket taker with 14 wickets to his name in 5 matches at an impressive average of just over 11 and even more impressive economy rate of 3.67.
The two other young performers during the series were Shadab Khan who finished the series with 10 wickets and left handed opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq. Imam due to his link with national selector Inzamam ul Haq was criticized in some segments of the media (in part also due to his domestic record) but he let his bat do the talking. The Lahore born opener smashed a ton in his maiden match becoming only the second Pakistani to do so in limited over cricket.
Pakistan’s impressive performance albeit against a struggling Sri Lankan side shows that this side has the potential to achieve great things. However a lot more hard work and leadership (which Sarfraz has provided so far) will be needed to sustain this performance against tougher opponents.