And yet there Hasan Ali was, prostrating after getting Glenn Maxwell - who had already done all relevant damage by then - out on the final bowl of his spell at the Sydney Cricket Ground, and then getting a pat on the back from his teammates, including the returning skipper Azhar Ali.
Sure, it was his first 5-for in a young and impressive 12-match-old ODI career, and he should have been content with his displays in a game where everyone else went out of the park. But, to overtly celebrate a personal achievement when the team was in dire straits, highlights how the Pakistani players have been clutching at straws amidst the team’s destruction Down Under.
As discussed in this space a few weeks ago, Asad Shafiq’s century after Pakistan ran Australia close in the first Test at the Gabba was celebrated by the entire team. The video that was shared all over social media, sent the message loud and clear: Pakistan are happy about almost beating Australia. When ‘almost’ is celebrated as an accomplishment, it’s only downhill from there. And it has been.
The win at the MCG had given Pakistan hope that they can make a match out of the ODI series. But the losses at the WACA and the SCG have both been comprehensive. Both the games underline the limited strengths and conspicuous weaknesses of the ODI side.
From positions of 162-3 in 30 overs, and 222-4 in 42 overs, Pakistan only managed to finish with 263-7 at the WACA. In comparison Australia moved from 213-3 in 36 overs to score 353-6 at the SCG.
Pakistan have absolutely no firepower in the middle and lower-middle order. Even Umar Akmal, who can step on the accelerator, has been seen playing cagily owing, again, to his personal quest of getting his runs stats sorted out so that he can consolidate his position in the side. The batting of Akmal and Shoaib Malik when Pakistan had to chase over 9 runs in over at the SCG showcases both players sacrificing team competitiveness at the altar of personal stats. And the best bit is that when the selectors get together for Pakistan’s next ODI team selection, the runs scored would be the benchmark and not how and when they were scored.
Imad Wasim and Mohammed Rizwan have a lot to learn if they are to become modern-day lower-order batsmen. Neither can use the long handle successfully, and when nudging it to fine leg or third man is your best chance of getting a boundary, quality pacers on fast tracks will always bog you down.
Like the lower order batting - once Pakistan’s forte - the bowling seems to have gone pear-shaped as well. Mohammed Amir, Hasan Ali and Junaid Khan might have had their moments, but collectively and consistently, the bowling unit has struggled to deliver in the recent past. Even Mohammed Hafeez and Imad Wasim - who have looked difficult to score against in the past, especially in the UAE - have gone for runs aplenty.
No critique of Pakistan is complete without highlighting the nosediving fielding performances. The catches dropped at the SCG especially were not only decisive in tilting the game towards Australia, they underscored the continuing mediocrity of Pakistan in the department.
Coach Mickey Arthur, who has only witnessed his side go from bad to worse following the England tour, needs to start taking responsibility now with over six months in charge, instead of giving his players earfuls publically in the media.
This piece is being filed before the final game at Adelaide, which we’ll cover next week. Even so, it has little bearing on the actual series and won’t do much to alter the reality that Pakistan have been thoroughly undone Down Under.