Cape Town: South Africa won their sixth series in a row and it turned out to be a perfect summer for them as they completed the whitewash over New Zealand and Pakistan. Let us look at the highs and lows of the recent series between Pakistan and South Africa.
Dale Steyn remained a threat for Pakistan throughout the series © Getty Images
SERIES REPORT:
The recent series between Pakistan and South Africa concluded with South Africa winning all three matches, they dominated the whole series. Pakistan on the other hand would feel disappointed as they came close of beating South Africa in the 2nd test but eventually South Africa won it.
Let us look at the performance of both teams throughout these series.
South Africa’s Highs:
BOWLERS:
Dale Steyn:
Fast, Furious, pacy, aggressive, dominant, these are just a few words that one associate with the name of Dale Steyn. He was the talking point throughout the series and he lived upto his reputation he picked up 20 wickets in the series at an average of 12.90.
Vernon Philander:
Ideal new ball partner for Dale Steyn. Vernon Philander may not be the quickest bowler of South Africa but he has a great ability to seam and swing the red cherry both ways. He also troubled Pakistani batters throughout the series and picked up 15 wickets at an average of 15.80.
Kyle Abbott:
He may have played only one game in this series but it will be very disappointing if his name is not included in this list. The debutant was the highlight of 3rd test he picked up 9 wickets in his only match.
BATSMEN:
Ab de Villiers:
The highest run getter of the series, only batsman to score 2 centuries in this series, Man Of the series award winner, yes, you are spot on we are talking about Ab de villiers here. He scored 388 runs in the series at an average of 88.
Hashim Amla:
Hashim Amla has become MR.DEPENDABLE for South Africa. This man never gets tired of scoring. He scored 286 runs with 3 fifty plus scores at an average of 71.50.
South Africa’s Lows:
BOWLER:
Morne Morkel:
A rare failure for South Africa in their bowling department. Morne Morkel only bagged 4 wickets in 2 matches he played in the series at an average of 41.75.
BATSMEN:
Dean Elgar:
Dean Elgar did not perform as well as he would have liked to. He scored 68 runs throughout this series.
Alviro Peterson:
He had not the most pleasing series with the bat . He scored 75 runs in 5 innings at an average of 15
Pakistan’s Highs:
BOWLERS:
Saeed Ajmal:
Though he did not get many wickets in the 1st and 3rd test, but may be if he was given chance by his batsmen then he may have proved quite a worry for South Africa. He still caused many troubles for them as he picked up 11 wickets in the series.
Rahat Ali:
Many cricket followers and pundits wrote him off after his pour outing in the first test but he proved his critics wrong in the final test where he picked up 6 wickets. He did not get the chance to bowl in the 2nd innings.
BATSMEN:
Asad Shafiq:
Asad Shafiq became one of the positives for Pakistan in South Africa. It is not easy to score runs against a bowling line-up like South Africa but he played well against them. He was their highest run getter. He scored 199 runs at an average of 33.16
Younis Khan:
He batted at tense positions when his team was struggling but he stood like a rock. His partnership of 219 with Asad Shafiq was a big achievement for Pakistan. He scored 184 runs with one century at an averge of 30.66.
Pakistan’s Lows:
BOWLERS:
Tanvir Ahmed:
Tanvir ahmed disappointed his fans. He was bowling with a constant speed of 120-125 kph. He might have played the last test of his career only time will tell.
BATSMEN:
Mohammad Hafeez:
So much was expected of professor throughout this series but he could not deliver. He scored only 43 runs at an average of 7.11.
Sarfraz Ahmed:
In the modern era, keepers need to perform with the bat too which Sarfraz Ahmed did not. He had a horrible series and he would like to forget it. He scored 83 runs at an average of 18.83
