ICC World Cup 2019: Match 36, PAK v AFG – Pakistan Player Ratings

Fakhar Zaman got out LBW on the second ball of the Pakistan innings. He reviewed the call but the third umpire didn’t seem to have a shred of conclusive evidence to overturn the on-field call. He took a regulation catch on the field but wasted the review right at the start of the innings.

Imam-ul-Haq – 5/10

Imam-ul-Haq took his time in the middle and was setting himself up for a big knock. However, the Pakistan opener had a ‘rush of adrenaline’ moment when he shimmied down the track off the bowling of Mohammad Nabi. The ball gripped and turned and Imam was caught well short of his crease. He scored 36 runs from 51 balls.

Babar Azam – 7.5/10

In these kinds of chases, Babar Azam is the man who usually does the bulk of the job for his team. He looked set for a big knock yet again and was marching towards a half-century. But when he was batting on 45, he was beaten by Nabi and the ball went crashing into his stumps. Azam hit five fours during his knock.

Mohammad Hafeez – 3.5/10

It wasn’t the kind of day Mohammad Hafeez would have wanted with the bat. His team was under immense pressure when he was out there in the middle. Being one of the most senior players in the side, he should have taken more responsibility. But threw his wicket away after battling in the middle for 35 balls and could only score 19 runs.

Haris Sohail – 4.5/10

The man in-form, Haris Sohail, also found it tough in the heat of the situation. The southpaw tried taking the game deep with the bat. He faced 57 deliveries and scored only 27 runs but couldn’t end his innings as he’d have liked. Rashid Khan got him out LBW.

Sarfaraz Ahmed – 3/10

More than his batting or wicket-keeping, Sarfaraz Ahmed‘s recklessness while running between the wickets was frustrating. He was indecisive about the second run and began to run after a pause when there was no chance that he’d make it. He left his team in tatters in a critical situation when he was run out for 18 runs.

Imad Wasim – 9.5/10

Imad Wasim was amongst the wickets in this encounter and did a fine job for the team. He was asked to open the bowling and kept things tight in the power play. He dismissed Rahmat Shah and Ikram Ali Khil – both who got off to good starts. He was fabulous with the bat as well finishing the chase for Pakistan under high pressure. Wasim remained unbeaten on 49 off 54 balls and saved the day for his team.

Shadab Khan – 4/10

Shadab Khan might have picked up only one wicket in the match but it was a big one given the context of the innings. Asghar Afghan scored 42 runs and was looking threatening. To get a well-set batsman out bowled was quite an effort. With the bat, he scored 11 runs.

Wahab Riaz – 8/10

After going wicket-less in the last game, Wahab Riaz made a strong comeback in this game. Not only was he economical but also got the wickets of Mohammad Nabi and Hamid Hassan. In his 8 overs, he only conceded 29 runs. He came into bat when his side still needed some runs to win the game. He hit a boundary and a six under pressure, remained unbeaten on 15 off 9 balls and played a pivotal role towards the end.

Mohammad Amir – 2.5/10

Mohammad Amir bowled well in this game but couldn’t get amongst the wickets. He was the only Pakistan bowler to bowl a maiden in the innings but couldn’t get amongst the wickets.

Shaheen Afridi – 8.5/10

Shaheen Afridi had a great outing in this game. He picked up two wickets of consecutive balls in the 5th over to dismiss Gulbadin Naib and Hashmatullah Shahidi. He came back later in the innings and got the better of Najibullah Zadran and Rashid Khan who could have potentially pushed the Afghanistan total further.