Babar Azam rises, Azhar Ali falls after South Africa series

Pakistan team's nightmarish Test run in South Africa has finally ended, after Sarfraz Ahmed's men succumbed to a 3-
15 Jan, 2019

Pakistan team's nightmarish Test run in South Africa has finally ended, after Sarfraz Ahmed's men succumbed to a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of the Proteas.

However, not all was lost for Pakistan in the series, as the batting line showed some ray of hope especially from the fresh legs. Middle order batsman Babar Azam, one of the highlights of the series for the visitors, rose five places to No.20 with career-high points, while opener Imam-ul-Haq climbed 23 to No.73, also a career best.

However, the experienced Azhar Ali, lost six places to slip to No.25, owing to a deplorable performance with the bat during the series.

Youngster Shadab Khan too impressed with the bat making 47 in Pakistan's second innings, to go with his four wickets in the match, broke into the top 100 for batsmen (No.97), jumped by 23 places among bowlers (No.78), and capped it off by climbing 20 spots to No.53 on the ICCs Test Rankings for all-rounders.

Meanwhile, fellow all rounder  Faheem Ashraf, who played only the last Test, pushed forward his case with six wickets, which took him to No.58 among bowlers, up a massive 48, and No.57 among all-rounders with another 25-place leap.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019

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