West Indies v Pakistan, ODI Series: Combined XI

With the conclusion of the ODI series in the Caribbean, the three-match series went in favour of the visitors. The Pakistan team won the second and final ODI to lift the series 2-1. This was an evenly contested series with West Indies failing to capitalise during the crucial moments in the game.

In the first international played between these two teams, West Indies clawed their way back into the game with the help of magnificent knock by Jason Mohammad, who played the innings of his life and helped the host to go one up in the three-match series.

Pakistan made their intentions clear as they walked out to play the second International, with the career best 125 from an emerging star of Pakistan Cricket, Babar Azam and clinical bowling performance, Pakistan managed to level the series.

The decider match became all the more important for both the teams as the match will not only give them a series win but also help the winning team to get an inch closer to the automatic qualification for ICC World Cup 2019. A commanding performance by the visitors helped them to chase down a score of 233 runs with ease. Veteran player, Shoaib Malik reached his ninth one-day International hundred and helped Pakistan to win the series by 2-1.

Let us look at some of the heroes who made it into the list of Combined XI from the recently concluded ODI series between the two teams.

Evin Lewis

There should be no doubt that Evin Lewis takes the first opening slot with the form he has been in the recent past. Since the start of his career, Lewis has scored 329 runs in 11 ODI innings at an average of almost 30 and a strike rate of 88.44. He has one brilliant hundred to his name. Though he managed to score only 76 runs in this series, he has the highest total score among four openers.

Kamran Akmal

Though he didn’t score many runs in this series, but he has always been an explosive batsman at this slot and has provided great starts to his team in the recent past. With the experience of 157 One Day Internationals and the highest score of 124 runs at an astonishing strike rate of 120.64, he is the number 2 batsman in the list.

Babar Azam

This young lad has definitely made a name for himself in recent past as he already has five hundred to his name, one of which came in this series which helped Pakistan to level the series. With being a consistent performer for the Pakistan Cricket from last 18 months, and being the third highest scorer in this series, has occupied the third spot in this XI.

Shoaib Malik

To make the best use of his abilities and experience, it would make more sense to send Shoaib Malik to bat at No. 4. His experience in the ODI format gives him an edge over anyone else of batting at this number.

Shoaib Malik had one of the finest series with the bat, having scored 163 runs in 3 matches. Everyone knows the phenomenal record he has in this format and he even proved it while helping his side to take an unassailable lead of 2-1 and register his 9th century. Being the Man of the Match in last game and Man of the Series as well, Shoaib Malik is the finest batsman to bat at this number.

Jason Mohammad

Being the match-winner for West Indies in the first match where till 35^th over it didn’t seem even if they are the part of the contest, he played a match winning knock of 91runs with a blistering strike of 156.90.

He has scored a total of 151runs at an average of 75.5 and is also the highest run scorer of West Indies in this series. He bats at number 5 for West Indies and occupies the same spot in the combined XI as well.

Sarfaraz Ahmed (C & wk)

With his prominent leadership skills and growing stature, he backs the number 6 spot ahead of the Shai Hope. He also had the additional duty of captaincy which he performed exceptionally well and even managed to score 70 runs in this series with a strike rate of 107.69.

As a leader, his hallmark has been his ability to stay calm and composed in extreme situations. The faith shown by him has helped Pakistan to win the series by 2-1.

Jason Holder (vice-captain)

Jason Holder makes the side at No. 7, the perfect position for the all-rounder. Although Holder may not have a great record in past, his current form with bat and ball will definitely give the 26-year-old the confidence.

In three innings, Jason Holder scored 91 runs at an average of 30.33 and a strike rate of 82.73. He also picked 2 wickets at an average of 71.5 and an economy rate nearing to 5.4.

Ashley Nurse

The right-arm off break bowler makes it to the list at number 8 as he was the highest wicket-taker in this series picking 6 wickets including his career best 4 wickets for 62 runs.

He made a good contribution with the bat as well, scoring important 88 runs in three innings at a strike rate of 123.94.

Imad Wasim

Due to other all-rounders, Imad Wasim had to be demoted to the number 9 position. He made crucial 43 runs and had a 99 runs partnership with Babar Azam which helped Pakistan to win the second one international. Also, he managed to pick one wicket at an economy of under 5.

Mohammad Amir

Mohammad Amir caused waves across the cricketing fraternity when he made his ODI debut in 2009. Since his debut, the 25-year-old fast bowler has been quite impressive, picking up 50 wickets in 32 matches at an average of 27.14 and an economy rate of 4.9.

Having 5 wickets to his name, Amir occupies the 10^th spot on the list.

Hasan Ali

Without a doubt, Hasan Ali has made to this list. His initiation in ODI team was back in 2016 and since then, he has picked 29 wickets in 16 matches with a healthy average of 26.24 and an economy of 5.88.

Being the highest wicket taker for Pakistan in this series, Hasan Ali has occupied the final spot.