After a forgetful series from the Pakistan perspective, finally, the green team secure a consolation “W” in order to avoid a 5-0 whitewash against England. Azhar Ali can breath a sigh a relief as he catches a flight back to Lahore or Karachi. I am quite certain that Pakistan’s T2oI captain, Sarfraz Ahmad has cemented his leadership campaign and that he may be tipped by the PCB to pick up skipper duties in all of Pakistan’s limited over games.

Pakistan can take away a few positives from the series. Imad Wasim has successfully proven his ability to bat low in the order and produce much needed runs and also pick up scalps during bowling duties. It finally seems that Pakistan has selected a good all round option in the post Afridi one day squad. Over the course of the ODI series against Ireland and England, Wasim managed to  pick up nine wickets in five matches. His last five batting outings have also resulted in five not outs that have led to a massive boost in his ODI batting average which stands at 76.66 in a total of 11 career ODI matches.

Sarfraz Ahmed, the highest run getter in the series, is a tremendous positive for Pakistan. The green team has certainly found a great wicketkeeping batsman in him. Finally, the trio of Akmals and their glove work duties have been put to rest and dismissed. I personally think that Sarfraz Ahmed deserves to be promoted up in the order so that he can play more freely as opposed to being put in pressure situations. He is not Misbah. Perhaps an opening role with Sharjeel Khan would cause him to produce even higher scores for Pakistan. However, that may lead to unemployment in the limited over sides for the likes of Captain Azhar Ali and Mohammad Hafeez.

Further positives include Pakistan’s wagging tail and heroics of Mohammad Amir and Yasir Shah. The presence of Amir and Shah bolster Pakistan’s bowling unit. It will be exciting to see where these two go with their careers, respectively. I must add that although Wahab Riaz was hammered for three figures for his 10 over quota in the third ODI, he is still Pakistan’s spearhead bowler.

Nevertheless, I am still enjoying 2016 as being a monumental time in Pakistan cricket history. 1992 was legendary for Imran Khan and Wasim Akram’s heroics in leading Pakistan to it’s sole World Cup title. 2009 was memorable for Afridi’s charisma in leading Pakistan to their sole World T20 Championship crown. The present day shows Pakistan as Test #1 in the World and that still seems surreal thanks to Misbah Ul Haq’s commitment in being a giant for securing such a prestigious honor for team Pakistan in world cricket.