For Zimbabwe this series was no less than a nightmare. Tyranny is this that this nightmare, before even coming close to reality, had become a righting on the wall. For Zimbabwe, considering the contextual way the tour has come to its end, for this tour to come to an end is in and itself a success.
The good thing for Pakistan is this that before the recent one day series this year had brought no One Day success to them and were desperate for a series win. After sealing the series 5-0 and completing a whitewash in the 5 match one day series, Pakistan have taken the revenge of the whitewash they suffered at the hands of New Zealand earlier this year.
After completing a great milestone of winning the Champions Trophy and clean sweeping the Lankans the Sarfaraz led team was high on morale expectations when they reached New Zealand. But after those 5 matches the dressing room of Pakistan was suffering from an unwanted and low atmosphere.
But even after the devastating tour of New Zealand, when Pakistan reached Zimbabwe in the last week of June there felt no need of encouraging or bringing the team together to get highly motivated. It was clear, even if Zimbabwe could come with all its might, it still wouldn't have been able to face or even stand a chance against the mighty Pakistan bowling.
Secondly, after the ball tempering scandal Australia was so low on morale that they were coming back after receiving a thrashing from England. In such a situation the only place for the win to settle was the Pakistani dressing room, the most comfortable place of the three.
PCB might consider this series as a preparation for the World Cup and might even consider rejoicing upon this whitewash that they completed over Zimbabwe. But if we think logically then this whitewash over Zimbabwe doesn't serve as or fill the requirements of a preparation for the World Cup.
Even thought in reality there were 11 Zimbabwean players on the ground but for Pakistan they were just doing their net sessions because there was no competition and the batters played wherever they wished without any fear of getting out. But even in this net session there were some great facets evident for Pakistan.
Fakhar Zaman blowed away the record of the fastest one day international thousand runs with him. Imam Ul Haq saw a dream form at the start of his career. For Babar Azam, this tour happened to be as a comeback tour for him which is a delightful sign. Shadaab Khan got more scalps and success while Hassan Ali continued his outstanding form.
But this tours most satisfying thing is this that it is Usman Shenwari's talent, performance and flight that proves the statement, Pakistans fast bowling has seen some downfall, wrong again. The presence of Usman Shenwari in this bowling set up has given the variety to this bowling attack.
From one end, Mohammad Amir lights up the show with his magical swing bowling while on the other Usman Shenwari attacks with his full length bowling. In fast bowling, the hardest thing to do is to bowl full length bowling while stopping the flow of the runs and creating some chances as well. This is the job which Wasim Akram used to do. Currently this art is perfected by Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc. It is know that Usman Shenwari is young but it cannot be underestimated that he possess this talent in him.
For any player in the world, a win is never attached to ifs and buts. A win is a win in any context and its called a win no matter it's against any opposition, it doesn't matter. Pakistani players have played this series on their capabilities and hence completed a clean sweep over Zimbabwe. Whatever reasons the Zimbabwean team had, they remained winless in this series but the Pakistan team showed their level of cricket and hence were able to win all the matches.
Because at the time the series was announced, neither was Sarfaraz the captain of the team, nor was Hassan Ali a part of it. Even Shadaab Khan and Fakhar Zaman's careers hadn't started yet. Who to play when, PCB had decided this way before.
So, wishing Pakistan on this clean sweep. In order to know the answer for where Pakistan stand in the preps of World Cup, we have to wait 2 or 3 more months for it. And as far as Zimbabwe is concerned, this series wasn't a cup of tea for Masakadza.
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