Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
Pakistan vs Australia ODI Series Player Ratings. PAK vs AUS Player Ratings
Head and Shoulders sponsored the now concluded Pakistan vs Australia series.
Unfortunately for Pakistan, they couldn’t wash away their poor record vs top eight ODI opposition since 2018. Worse, they couldn’t wash away their ability to botch chases. In a series where they basically conceded defeat after two games when Shoaib Malik offered everyone cute participation trophies, many of Pakistan’s bench players didn’t inspire any confidence. Indeed, Ramiz Raja sounded much more excited as his side demolished a depleted Zimbabwe last year.
The opposite can be said of Australia. The sight of Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshar Kumar targeting Aaron Finch’s front pad with success now seems a long while ago, with the Aussie skipper winning man of the series. World, beware, Australia is peaking at the right time!
In this series, I will go rate each player out of ten. If you’ve my player ratings before, you’ll know they are a light-hearted review of the action. If this is your first time reading such an article, enjoy!
Also read: 5 ways to improve as a cricketer!
Pakistan
Shan Masood: 5 matches, 111 runs, average: 22.50, SR: 76.50
Fakhar Zaman was reportedly singing and dancing in his living room. His replacement for the series underwhelmed, saving face with a fifty in the fifth ODI to lift his average to a huge 22.50. 3
Abid Ali: 2 matches, 112 runs, average: 56.00, SR: 93.33
Debutant Abid Ali showcased Pakistan in two matches. Brilliant century in one match, followed by a golden duck. He would fit in nicely. Still outscored his opening partner Masood, who played five games.
However, there was plenty to be encouraged about in his fourth ODI effort. So much so that Imam-ul-Haq was a little nervous… 7
Haris Sohail: 5 matches, 291 runs, average: 72.75, SR: 85.84. 1 wicket, average: 75.00, econ: 5.35
“Mr. Sohail, your plane seat to England is now ready. Please board the plane.” Haris finished second to Aaron Finch in the top runs chart for the series. If Pakistan can get more out of their openers, they have an excellent foil in Haris. 9
Umar Akmal: 5 matches, 150 runs, average: 30.00, SR: 88.23
Umar Akmal let this opportunity slip like he lets the ball through when fielding. It was a disappointing return to the side for Akmal, promising quite a bit but not offering anything substantial. Some of his strokeplay is something even park cricketers would want nothing to do with! 5
Mohammad Rizwan: 5 matches, 231 runs, average: 57.75, SR: 94.67
Quality series from Rizwan. His breakthrough series for Pakistan, reminding Pakistan fans what it’s like to get some runs from a keeper batsman… 8
Saad Ali: 2 matches, 11 runs, average: 5.50, SR: 47.82
At the crease for the length of time it took me to write this description. 1
Imad Wasim: 5 matches, 141 runs, average: 70.50, SR: 122.60. 3 wickets, average: 83.66, econ: 5.34
Led the side in the absence of Shoaib Malik, who might have been organising those participation trophies. Wasim was excellent down the order for Pakistan, and bowled well in patches. However, his bowling figures need improving. 6.5
Yasir Shah: 5 matches, 4 wickets, average: 70.75, econ: 5.66
Had an awful start to the series, and then improved slowly as it went on. However, surely Pakistan will keep Yasir for Tests only when Shadab Khan comes back. 3
Usman Khan Shinwari: 3 matches, 5 wickets, average: 27.80, econ: 4.79
Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja were having net sessions until Usman Khan Shinwari entered the scene. It was a massive mistake by Pakistan to leave him out of the first two ODIs, as he is a wicket taker. The proof? He was Pakistan’s leading wicket taker, playing three games. 7
Junaid Khan: 3 matches, 4 wickets, average: 44.50, econ: 6.35
Effort. In the end, though, Australia got the better of him. 4
Mohammad Abbas: 3 matches, 1 wicket, average: 153.00, econ: 5.66
Should Mickey Arthur give another chance to youngster Mohammad Hasnain after finally picking up wickets? No.
What about Mohammad Amir who needs time in the middle? No.
A red-ball bowler who stands little chance in this format? Bingo! 1
Other squad players:
Shoaib Malik: 3 matches, 102 runs, average: 34.00, SR: 86.44
One thing the captain must do is instill belief into his players. Not sure Malik did that. 4
Imam-ul-Haq: 3 matches, 63 runs, average: 21.00, SR: 60.57
Imam can be the subject of jokes on social media, but I still rate him. He was strong vs South Africa earlier this year, which makes this series performance disappointing. 2
Mohammad Hasnain: 3 matches, 2 wickets, average: 78.00, econ: 6.78
Tough initiation to international cricket. Has the attributes to be successful, but needs to be backed by those around him. 2
Faheem Ashraf: 2 matches, 42 runs, average: 21.00, SR: 105.00. 1 wicket, average: 95 runs, econ: 5.04
Had a fine PSL campaign did Faheem, but wasn’t able to transfer it to the Pakistan ODIs. Rested after the huge tally of one wicket. 2
Australia
Usman Khawaja: 5 matches, 272 runs, average: 54.50, SR: 81.43
The call for Uzzie to be Australian PM after the India series still stands. With David Warner in outstanding form in the IPL, Usman Khawaja has created a big headache for selectors with two fantastic ODI campaigns vs India and Pakistan. The only blemish in this series was getting so close to a hundred. 9
Aaron Finch: 5 matches, 451 runs, average: 112.75, SR: 85.90. 1 wicket, average: 60.00, econ: 5.00
It was a long summer watching Finch’s pads get targeted. But, form has been found. Finch is back, building on his promising series in India. Australia can go to the World Cup with their captain set. It was a brilliant series for Finch, both with the bat and as a leader. 10
Shaun Marsh: 5 matches, 182 runs, average: 60.66, SR: 80.88
The stats look brilliant, but the performance wasn’t quite. Marsh in the first and last ODIs was excellent, but he wasn’t quite on form in the middle matches. However, there is no doubt he will be on the plane to England. Does he make the first XI? Remains to be seen. 7.5
Peter Handscomb: 5 matches, 92 runs, average: 30.66, SR: 106.97
Opportunities were limited this series, but Peter Handscomb has also booked that plane ticket to England. Some of those Pakistan players look lost in ODI cricket compared to Test cricket. The opposite applies to Handscomb, at the moment. His 47 in the second ODI was excellent. 6
Marcus Stoinis: 5 matches, 16 runs, average: 5.33, SR: 61.53. 2 wickets, average: 57.50, econ: 6.38
THE RCB CURSE HAS STRUCK AGAIN. Marcus Stoinis, due to join RCB in the IPL after this series, had one of his poor ones. He’ll be in England, but his love life could be getting in the way of his focus… 1
Glenn Maxwell: 5 matches, 258 runs, average: 64.50, SR: 139.45. 3 wickets, average: 58.33, econ: 5.00
Outstanding. With Glenn Maxwell in this form, Australia can achieve anything. Damaging stuff. Aaron Finch had to have a series of a lifetime to stop Maxwell from getting man of the series. He was a key difference between the sides. 10
Alex Carey: 5 matches, 80 runs, average: 40.00, SR: 88.88
Opportunities were limited, but Carey played a key knock in the fourth ODI with Australia in strife. Followed his debut fifty with a duck next game. Pakistan style. 6
Jason Behrendhorff: 2 matches, 4 wickets, average: 23.00, econ: 5.75
Expensive in the final ODI, but took three wickets. That a bowler of Jason Behrendhorff’s accuracy is a bit further down the pecking order is testament to Australia’s depth. 6
Kane Richardson: 2 matches, 2 wickets, average: 49.00, econ: 5.76
Got a run for Australia, which is always a great moment. However, like Behrendhorff, he is further down the pecking order. Always honest, including at the death in Australia’s incredible win in the fourth ODI. 4
Nathan Lyon: 5 matches, 5 wickets, average: 48.90, econ: 4.98
If a captain plays Lyon with the intention of taking big wickets, then he needs a head check. An economy rate of under five is exactly why Lyon is in the team, keeping a lid on things. Steady. 6.5
Adam Zampa: 5 matches, 7 wickets, average: 37.28, econ: 5.36
His love affair with Stoinis is working better for Zampa than for Stoinis. Even though Zampa wasn’t as effective as he was in India, he was good, benefiting from an extended run in the side. Selectors are finally realising that chopping and changing does no one any good. 7
Other squad members
Pat Cummins: 1 match, 3 wickets, average: 7.66, econ: 2.87
Australia won 5-0 with Pat Cummins playing one game. Incredible. Cummins keeps going from strength to strength, on show in his damaging opening burst in the third ODI. He displayed awesome pace and bounce on an Abu Dhabi track offering a little. He gets a 10 for his performance in that game. 10
Nathan Coulter-Nile: 3 matches, 7 wickets, average: 23.71, econ: 6.14
Slightly on the expensive side (which RCB bowler isn’t?) However, his wicket-taking ability is why Australia must consider him for the World Cup squad. A powerful player when in full stride. 7
Jhye Richardson: 2 matches, 3 wickets, average: 26.66, econ: 6.15
The low point for Australia was Jhye Richardson going down with a really bad shoulder injury. The way he bounced back from a tough first ODI to bowl a great first spell in the second was great to see. Hope he recovers quickly. 6
So, Australia have continued their great preparation for the World Cup with a 5-0 demolition of Pakistan.
Australia have now won eight ODIs in a row. Pakistan have three of 21 ODIs vs top eight opposition since 2018.
Where do you think both these sides will finish in the World Cup? Do leave a comment.
Thanks for reading!
