The Pakistan cricket team does not seem to be doing too well in its colored ODI kits. Perhaps the management should bring in Pakistan’s Gandalf, Misbah Ul Haq to lead the side in future encounters against world class sides. The bearded fellow has done great for Pakistan cricket and maybe he can brew up a spell to bring back some of Pakistan’s ODI magic.

Pakistan being 0-4 in the series against England means its ICC ODI rankings will crash further. Azhar Ali better get his act together and try to get his unit to avoid a complete wash out against the English Lions. Certainly a fair showing by Sarfraz Ahmed’s T20I leg of the series may tip him into taking over the ODI reigns from Azhar Ali.

It is quite disappointing for Pakistani fans to learn that their bowling unit got thrashed and ultimately amassed the most runs ever to have been conceded by a team in ODI cricket history. Although a fair showing was made in the third ODI from Sharjeel Khan, Pakistan’s opener and Mohammad Amir, Pakistan’s 11th man, the green team’s performance in chasing 445 was lethargic and disgraceful. Perhaps Mohammad Amir should partner up and open with Sharjeel Khan so that more can runs can be amassed by Pakistan’s first three batting slots. Nevertheless, shout out to Mohammad Amir for doing the batsman’s duty and hitting a superb knock of 58 runs, a world record for the last man to bat in an ODI line up.

I think Mohammad Irfan should always be embedded in Pakistan’s limited series from the forefront rather than being left to close a series off  in order to avoid sheer embarrassment. Where is Junaid Khan? It seems the England bowling attack is keen to recruit him to play for the lions. Why doesn’t left arm quick, Sohail Tanvir pick up a recall or Sohail Khan be brought back into the ODI attack? These are some of the questions that the PCB must face. The plummeting of the Pakistan ODI rankings can only be prevented if major interventions are made. Pakistan should not be relying on its bowlers to hold down both ends of the game. Although Pakistan is in a transitional phase and is in a post Afridi, Ajmal, and Misbah era, I certainly miss their presence in steering the squad in the right direction.