MEET THE PLAYERS AT THE HEART OF PAKISTAN’S REMARKABLE T20 RUN
▶ After a clean sweep of New Zealand, Paul Radley looks at the key contributors to their relentless winning streak
When Pakistan won the toss against New Zealand on Sunday night, the few thousand people that had made it to the Dubai International Stadium might have been thinking: “Oh, here we go again.”
Which, for Pakistan fans, must be a very happy sentiment indeed. They are, after all, the world’s most formidable side in a format where long spells of unerring success are rare in the extreme.
Since September 7, 2016, Pakistan have played 33 matches in Twenty20 internationals, which is the format most commonly regarded to be cricket’s most volatile.
And the side often credited with being the sport’s most volatile have been the epitome of consistency.
They have won 29 of those matches, and lost four, to give them a win rate of 88 per cent.
In the process, they have won 11 successive series, and have now won nine matches from nine. Five players have been central to the streak.
Sarfraz Ahmed
Played 33 (since September 7, 2016)
Batting 454 runs at 28.37 Keeping 23 catches, eight stumpings
And there we were thinking Sarfraz’s stock could not have risen any higher than it was when winning the Champions Trophy last year.
The captain has been the only ever-present in the 33-match streak, during which time he has made more than 450 runs and had over 30 dismissals. Sarfraz’s influence, though, is worth so much more than mere numbers.
When Shoaib Malik took a fine boundary catch in a match that was really already all-but won against New Zealand on Sunday, Sarfraz sprinted 80 yards to congratulate him, from his position behind the wickets.
He then raced 80 yards back to discuss the plan for the next over with the bowler Waqas Maqsood, before heading 50 yards down the other end to take his position keeping wicket.
He is the side’s beating heart.
Shoaib Malik
Played 30
Batting 722 runs at 45.12 Bowling Three wickets at 28.6, Fielding 16 catches Shoaib might inadvertently have provided the motif for the ensuing success in the match that started the run, against England at Old Trafford in 2016.
While Pakistan were setting about getting what was then their biggest T20I win by wickets – nine – Babar Azam suffered injury. To save time, Shoaib scooped him up and lifted him off the field, with apparent love and care.
It was a neat metaphor. The old man of the team pulling his own weight – as well as that of others – while helping nurture the prodigious young talent in the side.
Shoaib’s showd that he is a safe pair of hands, when breaking the record for the most number of catches (47) by a non-wicketkeeper fielder in T20Is after the second victory in the series win over the Kiwis.
Babar Azam
Played 26
Batting 1,031 runs at 54.26 Talking of young talent, it does not come much more precocious than that of Babar.
That match in Manchester was his T20I debut. Therefore, he does not know anything other than unrelenting success. On Sunday night, the man who was already the format’s No 1 batsman passed 1,000 T20I runs.
The 24-year-old has done it at a better clip than Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum, or anyone else.
Hasan Ali
Played 27
Bowling 33 wickets at 22.81 Like Babar, Hasan made his debut in the win against England that kicked off the run, and has been an effervescent presence throughout.
His economy rate of 8.22 might seem a little on the high side, but his strike bowling had been vital.
Pakistan’s success has also been underpinned by a standard of fielding that is far above the norm for sides from their country. Hasan is an under-rated influence in the field. He is particularly mobile for a fast bowler, and has a laser-guided throw.
Shadab Khan
Played 29
Bowling 42 wickets at 17.16, economy rate 6.58
The 20-year-old has been a vital cog in the success of the past two years, having been touted for a place in the national team almost as soon as he arrived on the scene by his Pakistan Super League coach Dean Jones.
The Islamabad United coach knew what he was talking about. As soon as Shadab was given his bow it was obvious his skills were less for the future as the here and now.
No 2 in the world rankings for T20 bowlers already, and honing in on Rashid Khan’s top spot. And some observers have suggested that Shadab is – or could be – the best fielder Pakistan has ever produced.