Asif the lone ranger

A tired host, Shaun Pollock rested for the decider and a strong pace attack meant that this was Pakistan's best chance to win a series in South Africa in recent memory. They didn't capitulate as they had in 2002-03 but despite a tough battle, they couldn't quite sneak through. Still provided enough gumption to warm the heart on occasion.

9
Mohammad Asif
For much of the series, he was Pakistan's sole threat but what a threat. The weaker batsmen were worked out with cruel efficiency and the better ones with a little more thought as he dismissed the entire South African top seven, Ashwell Prince apart, at least once. The pace was down but he was relentless, lion-hearted (most overs by any fast bowler in the series) and intelligent throughout. His Port Elizabeth five-for will be remembered as one of the best spells of the year, already. With due respect to the 31-year-old Stuart Clark, Asif is the most exciting young pace bowler in world cricket at the moment.

7
Danish Kaneria
Wheeled away admirably through the series for 15 wickets, including a match-turning spell in the first innings at Port Elizabeth. He even unveiled a flipper of sorts late in the series. Will not be thanking Kamran Akmal who shelled any number of chances off him. But as has become the norm, he bowled well, without luck, with little support and without ever threatening to run through a side. Given the bounce and turn in the surfaces, that will irk him.

7
Younis Khan
Remarkably similar to his 2004-05 series against Australia, where he was the leading run-scorer for his side and consistently its most solid player, but incapable of making starts count. In the first two Tests, he should have made three fifties and a hundred, instead of the two fifties he ended with. Loses marks for irresponsible wafts at Cape Town but makes up for it by being Pakistan's most reassuring presence at second slip since a young Inzamam.

6
Inzamam-ul-Haq
Unusually, got off to starts and didn't make them count through the series, apart from once. His unbeaten 92, a lesson in batting with the tail, at Port Elizabeth was every bit as good as any of his 17 match-winning hundreds and equally as effective. Sadly, will end career without a hundred in South Africa. Captained astutely when he was a bowler short at PE and took two very good slip catches.

6
Mohammad Yousuf
Looked mostly untroubled in the four innings he batted, yet had only one score to show for it. His 83 was a stunning knock but as befits a batsman in his form, it twice required superb deliveries to dismiss him. Still searching for a first hundred against South Africa.

6
Mohammad Sami
At Port Elizabeth, gave his best Test bowling performance in a couple of years, combining pace, aggression and accuracy but no fortune. Threatened to revert to type at Cape Town, before injuring his finger though he batted with good sense and spirit. With injuries galore, has given Pakistan a glimmer of hope to cling to.

5
Imran Farhat
Scored nearly half his runs in second innings at Centurion, but apart from that never appeared comfortable at any stage. Continued to slash and burn in the slips and six years after his international debut, you have to wonder whether Pakistan aren't better served by trying out someone, anyone else. Dropped only one catch and held on to a rather good one.

5
Yasir Hameed
Announced his return with a pleasant, battling fifty at Centurion but threw away his wicket. It wasn't the last time either and at as crucial a position as one-down, it was criminal. Wasted both his starts and a chance to cement his spot in the team.

4
Mohammad Hafeez
Never failed to get to double figures but never went beyond 32. The pattern was repetitive: a couple of pleasant boundaries to begin, a few plays and misses and a dismissal. Impression that he is merely a short-term replacement for Shoaib Malik forever lingers. Given that Malik is not a specialist opener either, that is worrying.

4
Kamran Akmal
An awful, horrific series behind the stumps, the kind that you have nightmares about, and shelled so many chances you eventually lost count. Looked as lost with Kaneria's legspin as the English have against Warne's. Worryingly, it caps a poor year for him with gloves and bat, as calls for resting or replacing him continue to grow. But for a brave, bustling fifty at Port Elizabeth and a couple of useful lower-order hands, would have scored even less.

3
Shahid Nazir
Not just ineffective with the ball, apart from a beauty to Kallis at Cape Town when it didn't matter, but damaging as he continued to let up pressure at ever opportunity. Useful tailend biffing on occasion.

3
Rana Naved-ul-Hasan
Test matches continue to flummox him as a desperately poor stint with the new ball at Centurion confirmed. Leaked runs for fun and never looked like taking a wicket until the very end. Cheery, breezy run-bashing lower down, reinforcing the belief that he is a key ODI player.

3
Faisal Iqbal
Errr. Asim Kamal anyone?

Choose your own marks

Shoaib Akhtar
A five if for those who think he left his team in the lurch by getting injured when they needed him most, and picking a fight with Bob Woolmer to boot. A nine for those who think his 11 overs and four wickets set up and eventually won the Test for Pakistan.

Osman Samiuddin is Pakistan editor of Cricinfo

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