This piece is being written before the Scotland T20s, and is designed to review Pakistan’s performance in the three Tests played against Ireland and England. And it is safe to say that the young side outlived expectations, despite the mauling at Leeds.
Before the start of the tour, question marks were raised on whether Sarfraz would be able to manage the reins of an inexperienced camp as Test captain. And while everything may not have fallen completely in line, but for the most part the tour has been a success, with crucial contributions across the board.
The tour kicked off with a win against Ireland, in what was the hosts’ debut in Test cricket. The Irish bowlers did manage to expose the Pakistani batting lineup, especially in the first innings, but the visitors managed to edge out the match and set the pendulum-esque tone for the tour.
Imam-ul-Haq
The English conditions have typically been a struggle for Pakistani batting lineup over the years. For Pakistan, there were no centuries on the tour. The closest someone could get to one was the now budding all-rounder Faheem Ashraf who smashed 83 against Ireland.
Pakistan’s batting has clearly regressed following the departure of Misbah-ul-Haq and Younus Khan, who took mountains of experience and bucket loads of runs with them following their retirement last year. And while Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq were supposed to step in their shoes, both – thus far – have exhibited that they were more prolific when playing alongside MisYou.
While everything may not have fallen completely in line, but for the most part the tour was a success
The plunge in experience was always going to take place following their retirement, but Asad, Azhar and Sarfraz Ahmed need to take up that mantle for the younger lot to follow.
In his solitary innings against England, Babar Azam showed signs that he could be the future in Tests as well. An injury to his wrist was unfortunate, with a potential challenge at Headingley perhaps being a test for his progress.
Mohammed Amir
Azhar continues to struggle against the outswinging ball around the off-stump channel in these conditions. Asad can consider himself unlucky, having got out at critical junctures on deliveries that were quite playable. A player with his experience and calibre should not need more time to adjust to his new batting position – and indeed new responsibilities – after having scored a record number of centuries at the number 6 position.
Pressure, and perhaps having too much on his plate, seems to have got the better of Sarfraz who didn’t come out with the goods at all in the Tests. His last five innings read a concerning tally: 20, 8, 9, 14 and 8.
Faheem Ashraf and Shadab Khan
What was evident throughout the tour, despite Pakistan having won two of the three matches, is how Pakistan missed Yasir Shah. This was especially true during the unproductive runs when the pacers were unable to get the breakthroughs, while Shadab Khan wasn’t spinning the ball as much to trouble the batsmen.
Yasir missed the tour due to an injury.This was unfortunate, because during the 2016 tour he singlehandedly bowled out the English top-order in a few innings with 19 wickets to his name. Meanwhile, Shadab had little luck against both Ireland and England with seven wickets in three Tests.
Mohammad Abbas
However, Pakistan’s pace attack is a gift that just keeps on giving, with Mohammad Abbas now the clear spearhead in Tests. He is the quintessential line and length bowler that Pakistan have missed.
Abbas, who is often compared with one of his mentors Mohammad Asif, knows the right channels to bowl. His medium pace coupled with seam movement can trouble the best of batsmen. Abbas succeeded in bowling dozens of maidens along the tour and batsmen often lost their wickets while trying to score off him.
Mohammed Amir’s run of brilliant and mundane continues to go parallel to each other. He continues to have his moments in Tests, but is yet to take the longest-format by the scruff of its neck, and give that match-winning performance that everyone expects of him, let alone a series defining run.
While the batting and bowling continue to play out their traditional selves, Pakistan seem to be witnessing the rise of budding all-rounders.
If it weren’t for the three half-centuries, Shadab would have been uncertain for the future Test squads. He looked more comfortable with the bat than many batsmen in the lineup,and is already being touted as the ‘next Steve Smith’ story.
Faheem Ashraf, too, did more with the bat than the ball, but has showed more glimpses with the latter than Shadab and hence should continue to be groomed.
Imam-ul-Haq had a decent innings or two – especially the match winning knock against Ireland – but he still has a long way to go till he establishes himself as a Test opener.
Pakistan should be taking a lot of positives from the three Tests. They would now host Australia and New Zealand in the UAE (or Malaysia) as their next Test assignment, which would be followed by a challenging tour to South Africa.
