NICK HOWSON assesses the performances of the players from both sides after the seven-match series, won 4-3 by the tourists, ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia
Mohammad Rizwan
(6 matches, 316 runs, batting average 63.20)
The leading run-scorer in the series in what was another reminder of his deserved status as the ICC's No.1 batter. Some concern that, bar the opening T20I when he failed (or is missing altogether) Pakistan lost. A-
Babar Azam
(7 matches, 285 runs, batting average 57)
A series that contained a fine century and an unbeaten 87 can hardly be considered a failure, but that is the standard Babar has set for himself. Looked vulnerable against the short ball. Ultimately, a series defeat after losing the Asia Cup final isn't exactly ideal preparation. B
Mohammad Haris
(3 matches, 7 runs, batting average 7)
Made his T20I debut standing in for Rizwan in the sixth match, a reward for his dazzling PSL performances when he scored at a strike rate of 186. Travels to the World Cup as a reserve. D-
Shan Masood
(7 matches, 156 runs, batting average 31.20)
Two fifties in five games represent a decent second coming in international cricket for Masood. Had a thankless task in both innings, coming in after the top-order was knocked over, but proved he can be a reliable anchor in a crisis. B-
There is no stopping Mohammad Rizwan (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
Haider Ali
(5 matches, 36 runs, batting average 9)
A curious international career continued here, with a woeful return in his first T20Is since last December. He was benched throughout the Asia Cup and failed in the difficult role in the middle order below Babar and Rizwan. Downed with a viral infection and missed the series decider in Lahore. E+
Iftikhar Ahmed
(7 matches, 99 runs, batting average 19.80, 1 wicket, economy rate 6.08)
Increasingly becoming a key member of the team for his bowling, rather than his frustrating batting displays. Particularly impressive in the fifth T20I when he finished with 2-0-16-1 and had the best economy rate of any Pakistan bowler during the series. C-
Khushdil Shah
(5 matches, 63 runs, batting average 21)
Continues to divide opinion among Pakistan supporters. Filled that middle-order role well in the third match in Karachi. But yet to score more than 36 in a single innings and a career strike rate of 110, the 27-year-old is a nod to the difficulty of the role. D
Asif Ali
(4 matches, 34 runs, batting average 11.33)
No sign of his woeful form since the semi-final defeat to Australia (109 runs in 14 innings) slowing down. We saw a brief glimpse of his class in Karachi when he lashed two sixes in six deliveries but three more single-figure scores followed. E
Babar Azam's side were unable to bounce back from losing the Asia Cup final (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
Mohammad Nawaz
(7 matches, 45 runs, batting average 9, 5 wickets, economy rate 8.39)
One of four ever-presents during this series, highlighting where he stands in Pakistan's World Cup plans. Needs to improve with the bat after scoring at less than a run-a-ball. His left-arm, new-ball spin proved tricky and he played a major role in the three-run win in the third match, taking 3 for 35. C+
Mohammad Wasim
(4 matches, 11 runs, batting average 11, 2 wickets, economy rate 10.98)
After missing the Asia Cup following back and side injuries and it was a rusty return for the 21-year-old, who much is required of amid uncertainty over Shaheen Shah Afridi. Understandably held back until the fourth match when he dismissed Harry Brook. Came through 13.5 overs unscathed but his economy rate of a touch below 11 was a drawback. D+
Haris Rauf
(6 matches, 13 runs, batting average 6.50, 8 wickets, economy rate 7.87)
Preparing to lead the attack should Afridi not make the cut. Remains lightning quick and able to take the ball new or old, as an opener, at the death or first change. With fitness issues elsewhere and his previous returns in Australia, he might be the most important member of the attack. A-
Mohammad Hasnain
(4 matches, 11 runs, batting average N/A, 4 wickets, economy rate 9.93)
Produced a brilliant opening spell (2-0-7-2) in the final match in Karachi, taking two wickets in the second over. Couldn't stem the flow of runs in the powerplay but he found a way to rush England's batters with his extra zip. B
Haris Rauf promises to be a threat in Australia (AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)
Shadab Khan
(3 matches, 7 runs, batting average 7, 3 wickets, economy rate 8.90)
It remains to be seen what role he has in Australia but he dropped down the batting order here and tried to slow England down in the middle order. The highlight was the dismissal of Malan, a delivery that pitched, spun, kept low and beat the inside of the bat. It was too little, too late at that stage but it was a reminder of Shadab's class. C
Aamer Jamal
(2 matches, 10 runs, batting average 10, 1 wicket, economy rate 10.75)
Who knows how much more of the 26-year-old we'll get to see in Pakistan colours (he isn't part of the World Cup squad) but he proved his temperament in Lahore. Thrown the ball at the death, he frustrated Moeen Ali with a collection of wide yorkers to secure a narrow six-run victory. Got dispatched in England's chase in the sixth game but by then an impression had been made. C
Usman Qadir
(4 matches, 0 runs, batting average 0, 4 wickets, economy rate 10.41)
Gave his hopes of having a tangible role in Australia a boost with four outings, having been limited to a single appearance in the Asia Cup. Only played the Karachi matches but picked up Malan, who could not read his variations, on both occasions. C+
Naseem Shah
(1 match, 0 runs, batting average 0, 0 wickets, economy rate 10.25)
An up-and-down year continues after Naseem was diagnosed with pneumonia and then Covid-19, limiting him to just one outing. Expected to go to New Zealand for the tri-series. D-
Moeen Ali, deputising for Jos Buttler, got the better of Babar (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
Shahnawaz Dahani
(4 matches, 0 runs, batting average N/A, 3 wickets, economy rate 12.75)
A travelling reserve for the World Cup and on this evidence Pakistan fans will be hoping they don't have to call upon him during the competition proper. The most expensive bowler in the series, Dahani took a pasting, particularly in the third T20I at the hands of Harry Brook who scored 32 off the 12 balls he faced, after continually missing his yorker. D
Alex Hales
(6 matches, 130 runs, batting average 21.66)
After a half-century on his long-awaited international return, the rest of the series perhaps didn't go as the Notts opener would have envisioned. Plenty of time to find his best ahead of the World Cup in familiar climes in Australia. C
Phil Salt
(7 matches, 167 runs, batting average 27.83)
Asked to deputise for Jos Buttler at the top of the order and with the gloves. Essentially England's fifth-choice opener but there is no doubting his attitude and intent from the off (strike rate 157.54). A punishing 88 in the sixth game teed up a series decider. If and when Jos Buttler returns, should have a similar license lower down without the same level of responsibility. B+
Dawid Malan
(6 matches, 174 runs, batting average 34.80)
Apart from his duck in the second match, Malan was once again England's most reliable batter. And when the pressure was ratcheted up, he responded with an unbeaten 78 in the decider. More pressure on him with some of England's bigger-hitting openers absent, but he's responding. B+
Harry Brook is unignorable (AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)
Will Jacks
(2 matches, 40 runs, batting average 20)
Very likely to be part of England's post-World Cup era so it was encouraging to see Jacks replicate his domestic and franchise form at the top of the order when given the chance to open, cracking 40 from 22 balls with eight fours. A good run out, though wasn't thrown the ball. C
Ben Duckett
(7 matches, 233 runs, batting average 46.60)
Reached double-figures in all seven innings in a continuation of his form from The Hundred, showing his ability against spin and on the sweep. These were, astonishingly, his first internationals in more than three years. But he heads back into the wilderness - a holiday in Mexico - before returning home for the winter. A
Harry Brook
(7 matches, 238 runs, batting average 79.33)
While his beloved Yorkshire were being relegated from the LV= Insurance County Championship, Brook was embarking on making himself undroppable from England's World Cup plans. He played a No.5 role perfectly, the highlight being when he hit a magic 81 not out from 35 balls in the third T20I as part of a record fourth-wicket stand worth 139 with Duckett. A
Moeen Ali
(7 matches, 142 runs, batting average 142, 1 wicket, economy rate 11.28)
The stand-in captain in Buttler's continued absence responded with a series win while keeping his batting form on the straight and narrow. Struck two fifties in four innings, those both came in losing causes. Pakistan lay siege on Moeen with the ball and he took responsibility for defeat in the second T20I after his single over, which cost 21, as the hosts built momentum towards their 10-wicket victory with three balls remaining. B+
So close, but yet so far for David Willey (AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)
Sam Curran
(6 matches, 27 runs, batting average 27, 7 wickets, economy rate 7.47)
After a summer in which his batting heroics came to the fore, this was an improved return with the ball for the Surrey left-armer. Among his array of deliveries, the bouncer was the most important with Haider and Jamal among the victims. Having played six of the seven games, likely to now be among Matthew Mott's first-choice XI. B
David Willey
(6 matches, 11 runs, batting average 11, 7 wickets, economy rate 8.57)
Outperformed in virtually every department by Curran in what might end up deciding who starts at the World Cup. We saw the best of the Yorkshireman in Lahore, taking two wickets in the fifth, sixth and seventh matches (England won two of them) to help seal a series win. Didn't perhaps have the impact with the bat that he may have wanted. C+
Chris Woakes
(2 matches, 10 runs, batting average 10, 4 wickets, economy rate 7)
Handed just two appearances on his return from injury and played a starring role in the series decider, taking 3 for 26 which included picking up Babar and Masood. Took the new ball and returned a decent economy rate. Progress needs to continue in the Australia series. C+
Liam Dawson
(3 matches, 34 runs, batting average 34, 1 wicket, economy rate 7.22)
The neat and tidy Hampshire left-armer has not been selected to take a barrel of wickets, but to keep things tidy. There can be no doubting his stand-out display in the final game in Karachi as he claimed the wicket of Babar and then struck 34 in a failed chase of 167. One of three reserves for the World Cup. C
Mark Wood (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
Adil Rashid
(7 matches, 3 runs, batting average N/A, 5 wickets, economy rate 8.29)
Didn't perhaps have the impact England may have envisioned but it was nevertheless a solid series from the legspinner. Got taken down by Rizwan in the fifth T20I which ultimately made a massive difference to the outcome. D+
Olly Stone
(1 match, 0 runs, batting average 0, 0 wickets, economy rate 8.66)
Just the one game (a T20I debut) for the fragile 28-year-old more than three months on from his last senior outing. In the circumstances, he bowled with decent pace and will be a real asset in Australia if the body holds up. C
Reece Topley
(4 matches, 0 runs, batting average 0, 5 wickets, economy rate 7.75)
Cut-short his summer to ensure he was fit for a winter which feels like the culmination of everything Topley has been working towards since returning from his injury nightmare. Took wickets in all four outings, including Rizwan on three occasions. B+
Mark Wood
(2 matches, 0 runs, batting average N/A, 6 wickets, economy rate 5.50)
Two three-wicket hauls on his first steps back after missing the whole summer with elbow issues. Bowled with pace (hitting the mid-90s on regular occasions) and blew away Pakistan with the short ball. If he stays fit, England's World Cup hopes improve dramatically. A-
Richard Gleeson
(2 matches, 0 runs, batting average N/A, 1 wicket, economy rate 8.66)
A clutch of returning seamers means the Lancashire quick has dropped onto the reserve list for Australia. Bowled tightly in the series opener, going for just a single boundary, but conceded 39 in four overs in his only other appearance in Lahore. C-
Luke Wood
(2 matches, 0 runs, batting average N/A, 3 wickets, economy rate 9.12)
Debuted with 3 for 24 in what was a really impressive start to his England career, dismissing three members of the Pakistan tail in the space of 10 balls. His only other outing went less well, with five fours, a six and five wides from his four overs. Not even a reserve for the World Cup. C
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