Mohammad Hafeez – 4: A quiet match for the Professor. Fell victim to the DRS on the first morning to a not out decision that should never been overturned on review. Missed a sweep shot second time round and bowled just five overs in the game.
Taufeeq Umar – 2: A poor game for the opener with just six runs and he also dropped a dolly to reprieve Cook early in England’s run chase.
Azhar Ali – 9: Mentored by Misbah and inspired by Younis in their mammoth stand, the youngster really came of age with a masterful exhibition of composure, concentration and class. His 442 ball knock was over100 balls longer than either side’s 1st innings.
Younis Khan – 9: There was always the sneaking suspicion that he was too good a batsman not to play at least one telling innings in this series and so it proved. Also took a stunner at slip to get rid of the obdurate Cook – see also The criminally underrated Younis Khan
Misbah-ul-Haq – 6: For once didn’t make much of a contribution with the bat, but his leadership was astute, inspiring, calm and even lucky when an extended debate on whether to take the second new ball saw Broad hit the new cherry down Taufeeq’s throat. The Presidency of his country surely awaits.
Asad Shafiq – 6: Batted well whilst chaos reigned all around him in the 1st innings but undone by Monty second time around.
Adnan Akmal – 6: Apart from a shocking drop to reprieve Strauss that even big brother Kamran would have snaffled with his eyes shut, Adnan put in another good display behind the stumps as well as breaking the sound barrier with his over-eager appealing. No runs this time.
Abdur Rehman – 8: Tormented England again with a second successive five wicket haul to raise Pakistan from the floor after being bowled out for 99. Forms a lethal partnership with...
Saeed Ajmal – 9: Magnificent and far too good for England’s traumatised batsmen as he weaved his magic again. Dismissed Bell for the fourth time in the series. Did Danish Kaneira really use to be preferred to Ajmal?
Umar Gul – 8: Why is he so underrated? Gave his side an immediate boost with the wickets of Cook and Trott after they had folded with the bat on the first day and then took four more wickets to seal the whitewash (or should that be greenwash?).
Aizaz Cheema – 4: Came along for the ride, didn’t score a run and bowled just eight overs in the match. Good work if you can get it.
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3rd Test: Pakistan vs England - England marks out of 10
2nd Test marks out of 10: Pakistan and England
1st Test marks out of 10: Pakistan and England
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Well played Pakistan. These figures seem fair enough, but I'd take one off Adnan Akmal for his ugly and incessant appealing. I was really starting to like him, but I've gone off him especially in this match.
Posted by: wilo | Monday, February 06, 2012 at 20:43
Agree with you on Adnan's tiresome appealing Wilo, but I'm prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt as a young player getting a bit over-excited by the unexpected success of his side.
He did make even Broad look a reluctant appealer in comparison though didn't he?
Posted by: The Reverse Sweep | Monday, February 06, 2012 at 22:39