Spirit in the Pakistan camp is obviously high given that they were able to put heavy defeats at Trent Bridge and Edgbaston behind them to bounce back with avengeance at the Oval. Pakistan sides of recent vintage would have descended into chaos and recrimination after two such crushing defeats, so captain Salman Butt and coach Waqar Younis should take a lot of credit for avoiding this.
Pakistan will now believe that they can square the series at Lord's and have a number of factors in their favour. Mohammad Yousuf has added calmness and solidity to the batting and his influence seems to have imbued his batting colleagues with a bit more steel. Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif continue to impress and England still haven't been able to pick Saeed Ajmal. Moreover their fielding, which was so poor in the first two tests, was a revelation at the Oval.
So, how did the Pakistan team fare on the Reverse Sweep marks out of ten scale?
Imran Farhat - 7: Transformed from the strokeless Farhat of Edgbaston into a Tamim Iqbal clone when getting the Pakistan run chase off to a flier. Given that he also got runs in the Headingley run chase against Australia it would seem that Farhat likes the pressure cooker.
Yasir Hameed - 6: Came in for his first test of the summer and provided a much needed positive approach at the top of the order to give Pakistan's 1st innings a lightning start riding his luck in the process. Fortune ran out in the second innings with a first ball duck.
Salman Butt - 8: Is really impressing as captain both on and off the field and unlike his opposite number, everything went right for Butt here. He even managed to finally get some runs as he led from the front during the run chase. This was just reward for his dignity and bravery in dropping down to three. Captaincy record now stands at two wins and two losses - who'd have thought that when he took over amidst the chaos of Afridi's resignation?
Mohammad Yousuf - 9: A class act. Not only showed the quality that Pakistan's batting has been missing all summer, but spread calmness and confidence throughout his batting colleagues. Batted from memory at the start of his first knock, but once he had played himself in, Yousuf demonstrated exactly what he is a world class batsmen. How could Pakistan have ever left out a batsman this good? Shame on you, Ijaz Butt.
Azhar Ali - 8: Took his cue from Yousuf and visibly grew in confidence during his brilliant 92 not out in the first innings. Clearly has a lot of talent and a long test career beckons. Let's just overlook his ridiculous run out that sparked all the panic in the second innings.
Umar Akmal - 6: Immensely talented, but first innings dismissal raised questions as to how much there is between the ears. His crazy run out just three balls before the new ball cost Pakistan a big first innings lead and could have lost them the game. Redeemed himself in the second innings by showing uncharacteristic patience when the pressure was at its most intense and was rewarded by hitting the winning runs.
Kamran Akmal - 7: Lucky to play after Zulqarnain's unfortunate injury, but then surprised by catching everything that came his way. His batting in English conditions though clearly needs a rethink and his dismissal in the second innings offering no shot to Swann was particularly poor. In this form, he is a place too high at seven.
Mohammad Aamer - 9: Bounced back from a quiet time in the first innings to deliver a matchwinning Akramesque spell in the second. Bowled fast, full and gained wicked late movement. Simply brilliant, but is he really only 18? Was at the crease when the winning runs were hit for the second successive run chase.
Saeed Ajmal - 8: England's top order still can't pick him, which helped Ajmal during his long spell in England's second innings. Bowled with guile, intelligence and skill as evidenced by his fabulous over to Pietersen that sparked England's collapse. Danish Kaneria may as well set up home permanently in Essex as Ajmal won't be going anywhere for some time.
Wahab Riaz - 8: Came in for Gul to some disquiet from Pakistani followers, but had a dream first day in test cricket with a well deserved five for. The icing on the cake was his patient 27 as nightwatchman, which frustrated England no end.
Mohammad Asif - 8: Was his usual consistent self and even had the generosity to help Cook to his century by his wild shy at the stumps. How he isn't included in the ICC Cricketer of the Year longlist defies belief.
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