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Here's Wisden's Pakistan ODI tri-series team of the tournament.
When Pakistan announced a home ODI tri-series with England and Sri Lanka, it was a pleasing bit of nostalgia, given how celebrated such a series used to be a few decades ago. But while the PCB remained terrible at naming a series – KFC Presents Bank Alfalah ODI Tri-Series for this one – it served up a fantastic contest on the field. Both Lahore and Rawalpindi offered plenty for both bat and ball and served up not just exciting contests, but two that outright joined the list of greatest (meaningless) ODIs ever played.
Here is our combined XI of the best players from the tournament.
At least England can walk away knowing their top-order is bullet proof. While the 2019 world champions continue to face questions about a lot of things, Duckett was one of their most reliable answers. While his 167 against Sri Lanka was special, only Shadab Khan’s insanity overshadowed his best innings, as his century in that match was the only reason England put up a half-decent total.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. Pakistan’s batting was mostly mediocre in this series, and as Fakhar limped his way during it, the only reason to keep him was his incredible record in tournament knockouts. And boy did he deliver in the final, bossing a chase that Pakistan had started disastrously. For a team that usually cracks under pressure, Fakhar’s big game exploits are worth their weight in gold.
A marvellous century in the final helped Mendis take Tom Banton’s place here, as the Englishman’s three fifties were overtaken by Mendis’s sparkling batting across the tournament. While his best innings came as opener, Mendis reminded of his endless versatility as he offered crucial cameos when shuffled in the order, which is why we have also shunted him down one place.
After a blissful summer against these two opponents, Brook might not have expected the setbacks his side faced in this series. Even as a batter returning to one of his favourite destinations, he had three ordinary innings out of four, but that other one sent him to the record books. A rollicking double hundred should have sealed the headlines, but like Duckett, he was upstaged by an all-time effort.
Rathanayke’s series stats feel less like cricket and more like an IPO for a tech firm. Comfortably the top-scorer overall, there wasn’t a single match where his impact wasn’t felt. Fittingly, he saved his best effort for one of the most audacious chases in cricket history. Writers like me keep dismissing stats from non-ICC events, but he forcefully reminded us that there is a lot to savour in these contests as well.
The stylish leftie scored his spot over a few other contenders thanks to his career-best 74 in the final in what was his debut series. Given Babar Azam’s struggles, he was frequently asked to come in under pressure: the best situation he walked out to bat in was 31-2. With Mohammad Rizwan having fallen foul with the board (and federal agencies), this was Saad’s first step in cementing his spot at the World Cup.
In a more consequential list, Shadab might not have made the cut. The much-maligned all-rounder only played twice in this series, but you already know why he’s in the XI. He showcased why he’s such a dynamic cricketer as he struck his first international century in any format. Thanks to that innings (and Haris Rauf’s insistence on a review) Shadab delivered one of Pakistan's most memorable wins ever.
Arafat was already having a big series before the final – the sort that leads the PCB prematurely appointing someone as captain. But then he went ahead and topped that with a match-winning blitz in the final. The slight all-rounder can appear docile, but he lets his numbers do all the talking. Perhaps his greatest value was in the fact that with both bat and ball he frequently stepped into aimless innings and directed them towards victory.
The Pakistani skipper's career has oscillated wildly as both injuries and selectors have taken their toll. But this was an encouraging series as he regularly picked up wickets, including his trademark opening over ones. He was also the most economical of Pakistan’s pacers as well as being relatively proactive in the field – a skill previous captains have often lacked. Given the Damocles’ Sword that captaining Pakistan tends to be, a title here was a crucial fillip for Shaheen’s future as skipper.
The top wicket-taker in the series, Madushanka’s figures were rather expensive as he bowled in a couple of shootouts. But he made the team thanks to his career best figures against Pakistan, where he was able to find bounce on a decent wicket to wreck the host’s batting. Sri Lanka will be desperately hoping that this series marks a return to form after injuries for one of the top wicket-takers at the previous World Cup.
Given that it was probably England’s bowling that cost them in each defeat, Dawson’s spot is a bit of a surprise. But a quick glance at his numbers confirms why he made the cut, bowling head and shoulders above the rest of his team. He offered both a defensive and attacking option for his captain, able to bowl tight overs as well as picking up crucial wickets. It wasn’t enough in this series, but Dawson’s form also gives England a welcome selection headache in the spin department.
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