Cricket Highlights, 05 Dec: PAK vs ENG (1st Test)

PAK vs ENG (1st Test)

After India, New Zealand, and South Africa, this time the host of the current Pakistan-England has been taken down by England’s ‘Bazball’ strategy. After 17 years, Babar Azam’s team lost by 74 runs in the first match of the three-Test series played against the English at home.

Chasing a target of 343 runs in Rawalpindi on Monday (December 5), Pakistan needed 263 runs on the last day. The hosts, who lost 2 wickets the previous day and scored 80 runs, dreamed of winning, but in the end, their innings were stopped at 268 runs by the bowling cannon of the English bowlers. Ollie Robinson and James Anderson took 4 wickets each. Besides, Jack Leach and Ben Stokes got 1 wicket each.

Both sides fought evenly for about five days. However, against England’s ‘Bazball’, Pakistan’s traditional fight could not survive in the end. England has started playing in this strategy since last May after appointing former New Zealand cricketer Brendon McCullum as their head coach. Where the team will bat fearlessly in ODI style and get quick runs against the traditional character of Test matches batting slowly.

McCullum and England are also successful with that strategy. They started this strategy against New Zealand at Lord’s in June. The English are also successful in the series. They whitewashed the Kiwis in the three-match series. Then, they beat India in the only Test in July. They defeated South Africa 2-1.

This time Pakistan was defeated by their strategy in early December. Winning the toss and Batting first in Rawalpindi, England collected 657 runs in just 101 overs. Where the run rate has surpassed the ODI version as well. English batter Harry Brook scored 153 off 116 balls, Zak Crawley scored 122 off 111 balls, Ben Duckett scored 107 off 110 balls and Ollie Pope scored 108 off 104 balls. Looking at the ball handling compared to their runs, it would be hard to believe it was a Test match.

Spinner Zahid Mahmood took the highest number of 4 wickets for Pakistan at an economy rate above seven. Apart from this, Naseem Shah took 3 wickets, Mohammad Ali 2, and Haris Rauf took 1 wicket.

In response to this huge target set by England, Pakistan continued to bat traditionally. The Men in Green managed to score 579 runs in 155.3 overs. Pakistan captain Babar Azam scored 136 off 168 balls, Imam-ul-Haq scored 121 off 207 balls and Abdullah Shafique scored 114 off 203 balls. Spinner Will Jacks scalped the maximum number of 6 wickets for the English side. Apart from this, Jack Leach took 2 wickets, and Ollie Robinson and James Anderson took 1 wicket each.

Till that time, the fight between the two teams has been almost consistent. But in the second innings, the English challenged Pakistan by collecting 264 runs in just 35.5 overs. Keeping wickets on hand is more complex than scoring 343 runs in a day and a half. In the end, the hosts managed to score 268 runs in 96.3 overs but could not keep their wickets safe. And after 17 years, England started the series with a victory over Pakistan in Pakistan.

In the 2nd innings, Harry Brook scored the highest of 87 off 65 balls for the visitors. Besides, Joe Root scored 73 off 69 balls and Zak Crawley scored 50 off 48 balls. Mohammad Ali, Naseem Shah, and Zahid Mahmood took 2 wickets each and Agha Salman picked up 1 wicket for the Men in Green. Batsman Saud Shakeel top-scored with 76 off 159 balls in the 2nd innings for the hosts before caving defeat.

English pacer Ollie Robinson was adjudged the player of the match after taking a total of 5 wickets including 1 in the first innings and 4 in the second innings. On next December 09 (Friday), these two teams will meet in the 2nd match of the series at Multan Cricket Stadium.

PAK vs ENG Scoreboard

England (1st Innings) – 657/10 (101.0)

Pakistan (1st Innings) – 579/10 (155.3)

England (2nd Innings) – 264/7 D (35.5)

Pakistan (2nd Innings) – 268/10 (96.3)

Result – England won by 74 runs

Player of the match – Ollie Robinson

PAK vs ENG Playing XI