Bowling

Pakistan’s bowlers took a severe hammering in 2016 and 2019 in Australia. At 89.92 runs per wicket, they produced the worst ever series bowling performance in their Test history in 2019. Assisted by friendlier conditions, Pakistan this time consistently hit good areas and put Australia’s batsmen under prolonged spells of pressure after an erratic start in Perth.

Much talk persisted about Pakistan’s lack of speed, but people ought to remember quicker Pakistani attacks have been smashed by Australia and pace is useless without control. Overall Pakistan produced their best series bowling performance in Australia since 1995 with their slip fielders to blame for not further climbing the table below.


Fielding

Pakistan’s slip fielding wouldn’t look out of place in a comedy sketch. Abdullah Shafique gave fans flashbacks to Kamran Akmal’s Sydney horror show in 2010 by dropping two dollies in Melbourne with the costliest during Australia’s 2nd innings when they teetered at 46-4. Saim Ayub joined the club by grassing a sitter in Sydney.

Pakistan’s slip catch percentage is amongst the lowest in the world. That spells trouble when touring Australia where most wickets are taken behind the stumps, i.e. edges to keeper and slips. As with most of Pakistan’s ills, the root cause is FC cricket. Due to low, slow pitches – few chances even carry to slip thus denying youngsters the opportunity to develop their skills.

What’s inexcusable was the lack of a fixed slip cordon. Babar Azam and Agha Salman are Pakistan’s two best slippers, yet the cordon was a revolving door of butterfingered fielders.

Batting

Pakistan produced their worst series batting performance in Australia since 1995 with Mohammad Rizwan the sole batsman averaging above 40. Were the conditions challenging ? Yes. Were they facing a world-class attack who bowled some peaches ? Unquestionably. However, Pakistan reached favourable positions in all three Tests before self-destructing.

123-1 became 195-6 in Perth. 124-1 and 110-2 became 170-6 and 237 all out in Melbourne. 58-2 became 67-7 in Sydney.

The two biggest disappointments were Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel. If batting was judged by aesthetics, both pass with flying colours. Yet tour averages of 21 and 15 highlighted serious technical weaknesses outside Asia. Where Saud has leeway at the infancy of his Test career – the former captain does not.

If Babar wishes to be remembered amongst Pakistan’s greats, he must produce substantive innings outside the subcontinent. Possessing only one Test hundred outside Asia and an away average (36.86) that’s nearly half of his home record (71), Babar is developing a reputation as a Flat Track Bully.


Positives

Where else to start but Aamer Jamal ? Possessing great character and no shortage of skill, Jamal produced the best all-rounder display by a Pakistani in Australia since Wasim Akram in 1989-90. Two 5-fers and an entertaining 82 where he took on the short ball and propelled Pakistan to a 1st innings lead in Sydney ensures his place in the team. While Jamal’s expensive economy shows further finetuning is necessary, Pakistan can now move on from its failed investment in Faheem Ashraf.

Shan Masood faced a verbal bouncer barrage about the merit of his appointment as captain with his mediocre Test record. Despite two flamboyant fifties, a failure to convert those starts means those criticisms won’t fade any time soon. However, his captaincy was thoughtful and intelligent with some creative field placings that made refreshing change from previous Pakistani skippers in Australia.

Agha Salman only took 3 wickets, but his tight economy allowed the pacers to rotate from the other end – and two gritty fifties showed a cricketer not unnerved by adversity.

Mir Hamza and Khurram Shehzad demonstrated the importance of selecting players who’ve experienced the grind of FC cricket. It was evident not just by their numbers but their setting up of batsmen. New team director Mohammad Hafeez and new chief selector Wahab Riaz must continue prioritising domestic performances over “Hail Mary” fast-tracks of raw kids.

Verdict

Pakistan competed better than England and South Africa in the last two Australian summers. However, their inability to pull all facets of their game together is why Pakistan are now 0-17 down under drawing comparisons to the scripted streak of retired wrestler “The Undertaker”. Unlike that streak, Pakistan’s dropped catches, batting collapses and loss of bowlers to injuries is seemingly a story without an end.