Pakistan v World XI, 2nd T20I - World XI Player ratings

It was another action packed game at Lahore and Thisara Perera’s blistering exploits with the bat helped World XI square the three match series. Hashim Amla chipped in with a fine, well-constructed half-century and alongside Perera, they completed an emphatic run chase which seemed nearly impossible at one stage.

Batting first, Pakistan yet again put up a fighting total on board. Babar Azam and Ahmed Shehzad were at it once again, chipping in with crucial contributions. Both these batters fell just short of their half-centuries but added an invaluable 59-run stand for the second wicket. The run-rate dipped a little after they fell, but Shoaib Malik and Imad Wasim once again provided a solid finish and they finished at 174/6 in 20 overs.

It was another mediocre start to the run chase from Faf du Plessis and co as Tamim Iqbal was struggling a bit. Though he broke the shackles with few boundaries, Sohail Khan sent him back before he could get settled. The innings then progressed without much drama and the crowd was confident of yet another Pakistan triumph.

But in walked Thisara Perera, the man who changed the game on its head with some brutal assassination. He thundered some gigantic sixes and brought life back to the game. Amla on the other end silently completed a wonderful half-century and provided great support to Perera. With six runs to get off the final ball, there were so many instructions being given to Rumman Raees, but the lad bowled a full toss which was later spotted outside the park.

This 2-wicket win keeps the series very much alive and here are the player ratings of Du Plessis and troops, who were not so brilliant on the day but just about completed the task successfully.

Tamim Iqbal 5/10 

Got few boundaries but he was palpably struggling. The southpaw is capable of doing much better things and it’ll be interesting to see if he can turn the tables around in the next game.

Hashim Amla 9/10

A 72 off 55 balls doesn’t often get you nine out of ten, but this was a brilliant knock from Amla. Classy, elegant and most importantly, calm. No matter which format you play, it’s great to have players who can play the second fiddle so brilliantly and if it had not been for his presence at the other end, Perera wouldn’t have been so confident with his approach as he was.

Tim Paine 5/10

Another forgettable outing for the Aussie. He was decent behind the stumps but is struggling with the bat.

Faf du Plessis 6.5/10

The skipper got a good start and got out at a very wrong time during the chase. Nevertheless, he marshaled his troops brilliantly and as he said in the post match interview, their bowling performance was a tad better.

Thisara Perera 9/10

The game changer of the day, Thisara Perera was outstanding in every department. He was lucky with the ball as few of his full tosses didn’t receive the punishment it deserved. He registered decent figures of 2/23 in 3 overs and an outstanding 47 off just 19 cherries with the bat. A good way to silence the critics who suggested Perera should’ve been axed instead of Darren Sammy.

David Miller 5/10

A lot of eyes popped out when Perera walked in ahead of Miller, but that proved to be a masterstroke at the end. Never really got too involved in the game barring the two catches he took and one sitter he dropped in the final over of the first innings.

Paul Collingwood 6/10

Just like Miller, there was barely any involvement in the game from Collingwood’s side, but he gets one bonus point for the screamer he grabbed off the last ball of the first innings. For a 41-year-old to dive forward and collect a ball which is traveling flat, quick and low is simply outstanding.

Morne Morkel 7/10

Absolutely terrific with the ball, but had nothing to boast about in the wickets column. To concede just 20 runs in a T20 game is outstanding and he was a bit unfortunate to not reap any rewards.

Imran Tahir 6/10

Very expensive for his standards, but managed to pick up the wicket of Ahmed Shehzad which brought an end to a promising partnership. Quite certainly, he was not at his best today.

Ben Cutting 5/10

A horrible night it was for the Aussie all-rounder. He was made to bowl in the death by his skipper, which ain’t his forte. He was taken to the cleaners quite ruthlessly and if they had lost the game by 5-10 runs, Cutting would’ve had a sleepless night.

Samuel Badree 7/10

He was roped in for Darren Sammy and the extra bowling option did make the difference. As always, he was difficult to get away and picked up two crucial wickets of Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam. It’s indeed surprising that he is so under rated in this format as he delivers almost every game.