Pakistan put up a fight in the Test series (Photo by Jason McCawley - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty ... [+] Images)Cricket Australia via Getty Images

It was the same hapless scoreline for Pakistan in Australia. Pakistan were expectedly whitewashed 3-0 with none of the Tests reaching the fifth day.

Many years from now those scanning the scores will undoubtedly be led to believe that this was another of those lacklustre series, where the tourists were hopelessly overmatched in their graveyard site.

It's true that Pakistan were Pakistan. They suffered horrific drop catches - the gulf in fielding was the biggest point of difference between the teams - and batting implosions in trademark farcical fashion.

But there was so much more from a manic series with Pakistan unexpectedly warming the hearts of hard-bitten Australian fans. They were led by stylish new skipper Shan Masood, well educated in the U.K, who exuded elegance and fulfilled his pre-series promise of playing an entertaining brand.

He attacked star offspinner Nathan Lyon by continually charging the pitch in a rather foolhardy approach that did backfire at a critical moment in the Boxing Day Test.

Masood batted aggressively (Photo by Santanu Banik/Speed Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

But Masood's aggressiveness seemed to rub off on his players, who dished it up to Australia and they showed resiliency not always associated with Pakistan or touring teams Down Under.

They were particularly inspired by newcomer Aamer Jamal, who was a bricklayer during Pakistan's last tour of Australia four years ago. He bowled fire at Australia and also produced counterattacks with the bat, including a remarkable 82 in Pakistan's first innings that left Australia's star-studded attack looking ragged and feeling unusually exasperated on home soil.

Of course, this being Pakistan, Masood elected to inexplicably ignore Jamal when the game was up for grabs with Australia chasing a lowly 130 for victory. Everyone watching presumed that Jamal was carrying a niggle even though he was on the field only for him to finally be called upon after lunch with the result merely a formality.

Masood, quite clearly, has a lot to learn but he has injected playfulness, passion and pride into Pakistan. Even during some grim times, Pakistan sported smiles and had fun in the field. They hammed around with the rowdy Australian fans in the terraces, who usually have a knack of getting under the skin of touring teams.

Pakistan showed tremendous sportsmanship marked by their respectful gestures of retiring Australia opener David Warner - a combative player who often riled up opponents and was even polarizing among his compatriots - and the matches were played in good spirit.

Despite completely being written off, Pakistan were trying to defy expectations right down to the bitter end with specialist spinner Sajid Khan, whose features and mannerisms echoes a mix of Hercule Poirot and a Bond villain, almost pleading with the umpire to give Warner out.

Sajid Khan never stopped fighting (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)Getty Images

In the end, it all amounted to naught with Pakistan swept but they seemingly have the building blocks in place to launch an exciting new era. Except, of course, nothing is so easy in the tempestuous bubble of Pakistan cricket.

Without the heft of mighty India, who don't play them because of political differences, Pakistan are neglected of crucial fixtures and there aren't many options in the diminishing Test format apart from powerhouses England and Australia.

It's a great travesty that Pakistan - such a memorable cricket nation - has been left to wither. For all the talk of Test cricket's survival, the erosion of Pakistan has been a crying shame.

The lack of opportunities mean Masood's team, who simultaneously enthralled and enraged in Australia, might sadly never materialize into anything.

For those watching, there will be pleasant memories, but otherwise all that will be known of Pakistan's tour of Australia will be another 3-0 eyesore in the record books.