England came to the United Arab Emirates in high spirits after regaining the Ashes from arch-rivals Australia during the summer, and with the appointment of Mahela Jayawardene as a batting consultant they looked a formidable opponent for Pakistan - who were unbeaten in the UAE before the tour, and still are. 

Unfortunately, things didn't go quite as well as they'd have liked, as they crumbled to a 2-0 series defeat. But how did each player do individually? Let's take a look.

Batsmen 

Alastair Cook - 9 (450 runs @ 90) 

The England captain led the way with the bat and was the leading run-scorer in the series. His Herculean 823-minute vigil in Abu Dhabi was the longest innings by an Englishman in terms of minutes, as he struck his third Test double century. The 30-year-old's captaincy has vastly improved since Shane Warne criticised his tactics, as was shown during the summer's Ashes series and further here. In trying conditions he rotated his bowlers well, and used some unusual field places. The lack of a containing spinner made it difficult for the Essex man. 

Ian Bell - 4 (158 runs @ 31.6) 

Trevor Bayliss came out and said that England need Ian Bell's experience, which almost certainly books his place on the plane to South Africa. But by his own standards he did not have a great tour. More frustrating than anything else was that when he made starts of 63, 46 and 40 he failed to go one and cement his future in the side with a 23rd Test ton. Bell also dropped a few during the tour and looked like a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders. 

Joe Root - 7 (287 runs @ 57.4) 

Root proved that he's England's premier batsman in the side, and that he can score runs in all conditions. The baby-faced 24-year-old will be aggrieved that he didn't add to his tally of eight Test hundreds, especially with scores of 85, 88 and 71 to his name. 

James Taylor - 5 (78 runs @ 39) 

The Nottinghamshire man had to wait three years for a second shot of Test cricket. He grabbed his opportunity with both hands with 76 on his return, but was dismissed for two defending across the line of the ball during the visitors' final day collapse. 

Wicket-keepers 

Jos Buttler - 3 (34 runs @ 8.5 & 5 catches) 

Dropped for the final Test after a run of low scores - he's only scored 156 runs in 12 innings since the beginning of the Ashes - Buttler will find himself as the reserve gloveman behind Jonny Bairstow on the tour of South Africa. 

Jonny Bairstow - 5 (134 runs @ 22.33 & 7 catches - 3 as keeper) 

Made two decent contributions of 46 and 43 but like most of the English batsmen, he will be disappointed that he didn't go on and make a big score. Needs some more work behind the stumps to secure the spot long-term. Missed a vital stumping of Mohammad Hafeez on the penultimate morning when the hosts' opener was on 97 - his 151 proving to be the difference. 

All-rounders 

Moeen Ali - 3 (84 runs @ 14 & 9 wickets @ 48.67 - economy 4.08)

Didn't adapt to his role as an opener with Alex Hales the likely candidate to be next through the revolving door that is Alastair Cook's opening partner. After the first innings Moeen said "It was nice to be able to leave the ball" but went on to be caught wafting outside off stump a couple of times during the series. As England's prime spinner he didn't produce either, taking nine wickets at just under 50, but he always failed to offer Cook any control, going at over four runs per over.

Ben Stokes - 5 (88 runs @ 14.67 & 5 wickets @ 39.6 - economy 2.86) 

Not a great tour for Stokes but he will improve for the experience. Andrew Flintoff said that Stokes '"will win you games." and his 4/57 during the first innings of the tour proved why. His batting will benefit from the test in the UAE, as it's his first tour in the subcontinent. His collarbone injury could rule him out of the tour of South Africa where the pitches will suit both sides of his game. 

Adil Rashid - 5 (103 runs @ 20.6 & 8 wickets @ 69.5 - economy 3.79) 

A tough introduction to Test cricket with the most expensive figures by a debutant (0/163) but hit back by almost bowling the visitors to victory with a Test five-for (5/64). Only managed three more wickets in the last two Tests, which turned more. Bowled a few absolute jaffers but a lot of dross in between. With the bat he made a few good, gutsy contributions where he kept the hosts at bay. Fell 6.3 overs short of saving the second Test when he was caught at cover. 

Samit Patel - 6 (42 runs @ 21 & 3 wickets @ 54.67 - economy 3.90) 

I feel that Samit would have excelled if he didn't just play the solitary Test. He showed why he is widely regarded as the best player of spin on the county circuit during his 42 in the first innings in Sharjah, before getting bowled by a beauty from Yasir Shah. His bowling certainly needs some work but as a batting all-rounder in the subcontinent, he shouldn't be overlooked. 

Bowlers 

James Anderson - 9 (13 wickets @ 15.61 - economy 1.87 & 14 runs @ 7) 

Easily England's best player on the tour. Showed he isn't just a green seamer bully at home, and produced the goods here. The Lancastrian was disciplined and stuck to his areas, but the batsmen failed to back up his efforts. 

Stuart Broad - 8 (7 wickets @ 27.28 - economy 2.07 & 95 runs @ 47.5) 

The perfect foil for Anderson, and was probably unlucky not to pick up more wickets. The pair bowled 69 maiden overs between them and gave virtually nothing away. Three not outs helped his batting average but he contributed well down the order. 

Mark Wood - 7 (6 wickets @ 25.83 - economy 2.11 & 34 runs @ 11.33) 

Toiled hard in the first two Tests and was unlucky to miss out due to being rested after ankle discomfort. Took five wickets in the second game, and really tested the Pakistani batsmen. 

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