England v Pakistan ODI player grades: Saqib Mahmood and Lewis Gregory rise to the challenge

NICK HOWSON looks at the stand-out performances from the three-match one-day international series

ENGLAND

Phil Salt (3 matches, 104 runs, batting average 34.66)

Typified England's ODI philosophy with a brash, attacking approach from ball one. Got his rewards in the second and third matches with scores of 60 and 37. Having waited patiently for his opportunity, this is unlikely to be his last.

B

Dawid Malan (3 matches, 68 runs, batting average 34)

Returned to the squad having originally withdrawn for personal reasons. Looked very comfortable in an albeit low-pressure situation at Cardiff, but recorded ducks in his next two innings. Needs a good run in the T20s.

D

Zak Crawley (3 matches, 97 runs, batting average 48.50)

These were his maiden ODIs for England yet there is a feeling this could be his most fruitful format. An unbeaten fifty in south Wales was an ideal way to start and he looked impressive at Edgbaston too. A wonderous technique which will surely succeed at this level.

C

James Vince (3 matches, 158 runs, batting average 79)

Produced the individual display of the series with a wonderous hundred in the successful chase in the third ODI. There will be few knocks better received in England this summer. Add that to a fifty at Lords and it was fruitful series for the Hampshire batter.

A-

Ben Stokes (3 matches, 54 runs, batting average 27, nought wickets; bowling average N/A)

Managed to harness the freedom which has been developed under Eoin Morgan's leadership and transferred it to his players, who he led with a hands-off approach. Looked well short of form, having returned ahead of schedule, which explains him missing the T20s.

D

^{Imam-ul-Haq had a forgettable series}

John Simpson (3 matches, 20 runs, batting average 10, nine catches)

These three matches were an appropriate reward for 12 years grinding away on the country circuit. Claimed nine dismissals, including a wondrous catch to dismiss Faheem on his home ground. We may not see him again at this level, but that isn't really the point.

C

Lewis Gregory (3 matches, 117 runs, batting average 58.50, four wickets, bowling average 24.25)

Has sometimes looked out of his depth at international level during his eight T20 outings - he'd scored 35 runs and taken one wicket - but he's right back in the conversation at 50-over level. Effective with the new ball, handy with the bat down the order at Lord's and then put on a match-winning stand with Vince to win the game at Edgbaston. An ideal return.

A-

Craig Overton (3 matches, 18 runs, batting average 18, four wickets, bowling average 31.50)

Not the stage he was expecting to make his international return on this summer, but he'll take it all the same. No obvious improvements from his last England outings but he was able to vary up his lengths at will and ensured he was very tight. His economy rate of 4.97 was the third-best of the series.

C+

Brydon Carse (3 matches, 43 runs, batting average 43, six wickets, bowling average 22.66)

An ability to bowl at close to 90mph and add runs at batting at No.9 will ensure he is earmarked as one for the future at this level. His five-for in Birmingham was perhaps a tad fortunate but it was earned through consistency and regularly testing the Pakistan line-up. He'll be back. 

B+

Saqib Mahmood (3 matches, eight runs, batting average 8.00, nine wickets, bowling average 13.66)

Named player of the series after a fine display with the ball across the three matches. Got proceedings off to a fine start with two wickets in the opening over, including getting Babar Azam. He added the Pakistan captain again at Lord's and then three more at a key time in the next game as the tourists attempted to set a total. A timely reminder of his skills with the white ball.

A+

Matt Parkinson (3 matches, seven runs, batting average N/A, five wickets, bowling average 28)

Was often subjected to some punishment in a series during which Pakistan rarely caught fire with the bat. But his willingness to attack means he is always in the game. The wicket of Imam in the third ODI was one of the highlights of the summer.

C+

^{Lewis Gregory sent a message to Chris Silverwood and Eoin Morgan}

PAKISTAN

Imam-ul-Haq (3 matches, 57 runs, batting average 19)

Made virtually all of his runs at Edgbaston, where if not for a DRS botch he would have failed again. Including the end of the PSL, the 25-year-old is in the midst of a rough patch. Still a wonderful ball-striker whose form will return.

D-

Fakhar Zaman (3 matches, 63 runs, batting average 21)

A proper stinker of a series all being said. Made 47 at Sophia Gardens when he should have gone on and made three figures. Just sixteen runs followed in his next two innings, highlighting cricket's cruel sting.

D

Babar Azam (3 matches, 177 runs, batting average 59)

Was tamed by Mahmood in the first two ODIs but recorded Pakistan's ODI score against England of 158 with a stellar knock at Edgbaston. Showed temperament, guile and an ability to go through the gears during Pakistan's best passage of play in the tour. That said, has to take a degree of responsibility for the poor standards elsewhere in the team, particularly in the field.

B+

Mohammad Rizwan (3 matches, 92 runs, batting average 30.66, three catches)

Coming into form at just the right time as the T20s loom. His 74 in Birmingham was easily his most worthwhile contribution of the series - that went for several of his teammates - while he was one and off the field while taking the gloves.

D+

Sohaib Maqsood (3 matches, 46 runs, batting average 15.33)

A very underwhelming return for a player who arrived hot from a decent end to the Pakistan Super League with Multan Sultans which included a player of the match display in the final. The bouncer was not his friend, twice getting out to balls banged in short. The less said about his run-out in the first ODI the better.

E+

Hasan Ali (3 matches, 41 runs, batting average 13.66, six wickets, bowling average 25.50)

Bowled with real intensity on probably the quickest pitch of the lot at Lord's, while appearing quite subdued at Cardiff and Edgbaston. That 5 for 51 included some fine deliveries to get Malan and Stokes before he picked up some cheap successes at the back-end.

B

^{Hasan Ali's celebrations were typically emotional}

Faheem Ashraf (3 matches, 16 runs, batting average 5.33, nought wickets, bowling average N/A)

Carried some rather substandard form into this series with a showing that won't be remembered fondly. Wasn't nearly threatening enough with the ball and never produced with the bat. Involvement in the T20s must be under question.

E

Shadab Khan (3 matches, 51 runs, batting average 17, three wickets, bowling average 43)

Still doesn't have a defined role in this ODI team but is clearly a talented operator with both bat and ball. Pinch-hitter isn't his best position in the line-up and he suits the middle-overs with the ball well. Should come into his own during the 20-over games with his skiddy offies.

D+

Saud Shakeel (3 matches, 64 runs, batting average 32, one wicket, bowling average 37)

His first three internationals in Pakistan green so you hesitate to be too harsh. Had his best game at Lord's with the wicket of Salt and a half-century in a failed chase. Never disgraced himself.

C

Shaheen Shah Afridi (3 matches, 30 runs, batting average 15, two wickets, bowling average 68.50)

Given what we have come to expect from the left-arm quick, this was a bang average display. Looked totally anaemic when he couldn't get the new white-ball to swing. Went at nearly a run-a-ball which while not taking wickets was, relative to the scoring rate of the series, expensive. Will hope to go again in the T20s.

D-

Haris Rauf (3 matches, one run, batting average one, six wickets, bowling average 24.50)

Still a feeling that he is finding his way in this format. Easy to forget he is a young 27-year-old and only eight matches into his 50-over international career. There are question marks over how he is used which comes down to the planning of Misbah and Babar. No questioning his pace and commitment but he was often wayward and only Hasan conceded more runs in the series.

B-

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