England were humiliated after slumping to defeat inside two-and-a-half days in Rawalpindi as Pakistan ran out winners in this third Test by nine wickets to complete a 2-1 series victory.
The tourists, who’d had a 77-run first-innings deficit after a nightmare second day in the field, were bundled out for just 112 in their second innings – the lowest total of the Bazball era.
It left Pakistan 36 to chase and they got there in just 19 balls.
This probably should be classed as the worst defeat yet of coach Brendon McCullum’s tenure and for England there is much soul-searching to do after losing a series in which they went 1-0 up following a first Test in Multan that saw them score 823 for seven declared.
Here’s how England’s players rated across the series as a whole.
Zak Crawley 3
139 runs @27.80
Made 78 in his first innings of the series and not much after that. Poor series but damningly not the worst England batter.
Ben Duckett 8
262 runs @52.40
England’s most consistent run scorer across the series, hitting 84 in series opener but scoring 114 and another half-century on tougher pitches in the final two Tests.
Ollie Pope 0
55 runs @11
Woeful. Scores of 0, 29, 22, three and one. Needs to be put out of his misery and dropped for the upcoming tour of New Zealand.
Joe Root 6
352 runs @70.40
Fine 262 in first Test that saw him become England’s all-time leading run scorer. Made 90 runs at 22.50 after that.
Harry Brook 7
373 runs @74.60
Triple hundred in series opener was a special moment. But like Root produced little after, failing to get to 30 in his other four innings.
Ben Stokes 2
53 runs @13.25; 0 wickets
Missed first Test. Desperate with the bat. Bowled just 10 overs the whole series and captaincy found wanting in final Test.
Jamie Smith 6
150 runs @30; 8 catches, 1 stumping
His 89 in series decider was his best innings for England. But had a tough time other than that. Keeping shaky in second Test but otherwise okay.
Chris Woakes 5
2 wickets @55
Figures for only Test he played, the first on a batter’s paradise in Multan, didn’t really reflect how he bowled. Did okay on first overseas tour for two-and-a-half years.
Brydon Carse 8
9 wickets at 24.33
Outstanding in his first Test series in toughest of conditions for seamers. Pace, engine and heart all bode well for the future.
Gus Atkinson 7
6 wickets @27.83
In a series dominated by spin, the Surrey seamer continued his fine start to life in Test cricket that began last summer.
Matthew Potts 6
3 wickets @28.33
Ran in manfully and showed character in his only appearance during the second Test in Multan that played on a used pitch.
Rehan Ahmed 7
4 wickets @16.50
Positive return for young leg-spinner in Rawalpindi. England should invest in him so he can develop into viable spin option for all conditions.
Jack Leach 7
16 wickets @31.43
Solid campaigner who let nobody down. Future uncertain but at 33 either pick him as No1 spin option or leave him out.
Shoaib Bashir 4
9 wickets @49.55
He’s England’s chosen spinner but was found wanting on helpful surfaces during the final two Tests. Has a lot to learn.
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