The winners and losers from the Sri Lanka-Pakistan Series

The recently concluded cricket series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, which eventually took place in UAE not only saw some thrilling encounters with both the Test and the T20 series being tied and Pakistan winning the one-day series, we take a look at the players who might be called as the winners and losers of the series respectively.

Winners:

Angelo Mathews-Sri Lanka

Best Performance: An unbeaten 91 and 157 in the Abu Dhabi Test.

The Sri Lankan captain was a standout performer throughout the series. His consistency with his batting and bowling both helped him and as well as his team.

The 26-year-old has fully established himself as the leader, and that can only be a good thing for a team for whom stability seems to be a rare commodity.

A half century in the first T20 and four decent contributions in the ODIs and 401 runs in the Test Series in a clear indication that he turned out to be a winner after the series concluded.

Junaid Khan-Pakistan

Best Performance: 5/58 in the first innings at Abu Dhabi to help dismiss Sri Lanka for 204.

The rise of Pakistan’s new pace-bowling sensation Junaid Khan continues beautifully his good run of form with his consistent performances with the ball throughout the series.

The left-arm seamer reaped 27 wickets in total while his control and composure also kept the opposition’s run rates down.

Ahmed Shehzad-Pakistan

Best Performance: Scoring 147 in the first innings of the Sharjah Test.

After his performances throughout the series he is being called as the replacement for Misbah-Ul-Haq and Younis Khan. Such was the temperament and consistency of Ahmed Shehzad.

Playing across all formats, the 22-year-old shrugged off two low T20 scores to enjoy a prolific ODI series before adding 285 runs at an average of 57 in the three Tests.

Generally scoring at a decent rate also, Shehzad has a golden opportunity to establish himself as Pakistan’s premier opener for years to come.

Losers:

Lasith Malinga-Sri Lanka

Worst Performance: Getting smashed for 78 runs off 10 overs in Dubai for the return of just one wicket.

Having already retired from Test cricket a few years ago, the wild-haired paceman struggled to make an impact in the white-ball formats of this tour, bowling inconsistently and appearing to lack fitness.

Expensive and unable to provide his usual threat at the start and (more importantly) end of innings, the 30-year-old went for more than a run a ball before heading to Australia to participate in the Big Bash League.

His poor performance in the series is also being called as the indication for him that his International career is in real danger.

Asad Shafiq-Pakistan

Worst Performance: Scoring 13 runs in three consecutive ODI innings.

After his decent run against South Africa in October culminating in an epic century at Durban, Asad Shafiq’s confidence would have been sky high.

A few games later and the 27-year-old will be fearing for his future, after a dreadful run of scores saw him make just 74 runs from eight innings in the UAE.

The next question is whether Pakistan Cricket Board would keep him in the team for the Asia Cup or not?

Sachithra Senanayake-Sri Lanka

Worst Performance: The all-rounder’s first Test was a huge disappointment, scoring just five runs and remaining wicketless from 23 expensive overs.

There were huge expectations from Sachithra Senanayake on this tour, but after bowling well in the two T20s, the 28-year-old struggled to contribute.

Despite figuring in all five ODIs, the Kolkata Knight Rider bowler failed to produce a single wicket from 49 overs and scored just 55 runs.

With his confidence depreciating, Senanayake endured a devastating debut in the highest form of the game which ended up in he being on the sidelines for the remaining two fixtures of the series.