Pakistan 339 All Out (Misbah Ul Huq 114, Asad Shafiq 73, Mohammad Hafiz 40, Younis Khan 33, Chris Woakes 6/70, Chris Broad 3/71) and 215 (Asad Shafiq 49, Sarfraz Ahmed 45, Chris Woakes 5/32, SCJ Broad 3/38)  beat England 272 (AN Cook 81, JE Root 48, C Woakes 35*, Yasir Shah 6/72) and 215 (JM Bairstow 48, GS Balance 43, JM Vince 42, Yasir Shah 4/69, Rahat Ali 3/47, Mohammad Amir 2/39)

Player of the Match: Yasir Shah

DHAKA: The magnificent charm of Test Cricket at Cricket HQ Lords demonstrated amply why Test cricket is adored as the “Ultimate Frontier” of cricket. Pakistan, the ever talented but most unpredictable cricket team redeemed with a moral and spirit boosting 75 runs thumping victory against strong England team at its home of cricket.

Test cricket these days are losing a bit of ground for the avalanche of limited over versions and T20 type disco cricket glamour. But the gripping Lords Test of which every single moment present attraction and appeal let of sweet fragrance of beautiful cricket.

July sun kept shining all through the four days. Wicket only favored swing and spin marginally on the last day. It was more or less placid wicket. But two equally talented teams were expected to dish out tough contest. In practice, it was highly skilled professional performance of some extraordinarily talented individuals from both teams.

Pakistan looked fitter and focused. Four high quality bowlers had discipline, the fielding showed much improvement, batsmen batted with resolve.

English batting on the other hand was more focused on dealing with Amir and Wahab. They knew about the wily Yasir but they could hardly imagine on flat Lords wicket Yasir could make them dance to his tune and succumb. Yasir had drifts, control and penetration of maestro Shane Warne in mesmerizing English middle and left handers.

Amir did not do much damage. But, other less fancied left arm seaming partner Rahat Ali made useful contribution. If bowlers and fielders did their part courageous captain Misbah over 42 producing his record setting century in the first innings laid the foundation. Pakistan winning the test handsomely surged into 1-0 lead of the four-match test series.

Pakistan always produced cricketers of extraordinary talent but controversy and scandal almost became a synonym with them. England-Pakistan duets in recent times regularly featured controversies of some form or other.

In 2010 on this very ground a budding cricketer of exceptional gift Mohammad Amir fell in the trap of greed and temptation of a mafia syndicate. For his spot fixing act, he, Pakistan and World Cricket lost five good years of the emerging talent. On this very ground Amir’s return was being billed as the talking point of the world. Some English cricketers of the present and past tried to play mental game. But his team should firmly beside and behind him. He was feeling his way a little bit. Nevertheless he had the last hurrah as he picked the last English wicket with a fast and furious delivery uprooting the stump of English debutant Ball.

His spread eagle celebration released his tension and heralded the moments of joy of his eager team mates.

Pakistan cricket administration went through major overhauling. Great Inzamam took over as chief selector. Micky Arthur became head coach. Pakistan team went through rigorous physical fitness training in Abbottabad Military facility. The team looked fitter and trimmer. The two elder statesmen Misbah Ul Haque and Younis Khan showed the way.

England, on the other hand, was playing wonderful cricket off late. They blew out Sri Lanka and were shaping well for the Pakistan contest. The toss was crucial which Pakistan won. On a sunny morning with little cloud hanging high and wicket looking flat, Misbah opted to bat. England was without their bowling leader James Anderson. Four-prong pace attack had mostly seamers with Moin Ali the off-spinning option.

Pakistan opener Shan Masood failed to exploit his England living experience. Hafiz grafted and also failed to fully exploit two lives he got. Azhar was a bit unlucky in given LBW. Younis and Misbah gave solidity. But, the partnership that turned the match in Pakistan’s favor was sewed up by Misbah and Asad Shafiq.

In the ultimate analysis the 148-run fifth wicket partnership gave Pakistan innings the oxygen required. Misbah was particularly severe on Moin Ali with his sweeps and reverse sweep. He continued his domination on English bowling. At Lords he wrote new scripts being only the third cricketer in history scoring century after 42 years age. His Innings (114-run) ultimately turned match winning. Asad Shafiq unfortunately failed to turn his brilliant innings (73) into a triple figure for inscribing his name on the Lords board of honor.

English bowlers excepting Woakes hardly moved the ball in the air. Woakes bowled brilliantly aiming at the corridor of uncertainty and exploiting whatever seam movement the wicket offered. His 6/70 in the first innings restricted Pakistan to 339 which initially was thought to be a par score.

English reply would have run into rough waters if Hafiz could have hold on to an easy grab in the slip early on of Cook off the bowling of Amir. The talented Pak pacer was a bit nervy but when he found his rhythm he troubled English Captain. Rahat removed Hales early. Root and Cook started threatening Pakistan when redoubtable Yasir Shah entered the scene.

He teased and tormented English middle order with his variation, accuracy, drifts and guiles. Root, Vince, Bairstow and Moin succumbed in quick succession. Amir returned to removed Cook. England finished day-two on 253/7.

Pakistan bowlers on third morning did not waste much time in wrapping up English innings for 272 thereby getting invaluable 67 runs lead.

Wicket on third day started misbehaving marginally. Odd balls were gripping and turning and some were keeping low. Woakes again troubled all Pakistan batsmen. Hafiz scored nothing. Masood and Azhar could resist briefly. Moin Ali struck two vital blows in removing Younis and Misbah. Two useful innings were produced by Asad Shafiq (49) and Sarfraz (45). Yasir also contributed a useful 30. 215 runs that Pakistan could master earned them a 282 runs lead. Experts thought it was enough given the state of the wicket and quality of Pakistan attack in exploiting the condition.

England could hardly resist resurging Pakistan attack excepting a brief spell when Vince and Balance were looking good. The early strikes were dealt by Rahat Ali removing Cook, Hales and Root for not too many. When Yasir resumed his act of magic spells and Wahab reversing it appeared all lost for England. They were bundled out for Amir grabbed two wickets.

In between Yasir cleaned up middle order. Two of his dismissals brought back the memories of Shane Warne back in Lords. In the end, Pakistan won easily by 75 runs. Yasir Shah was adjudged player of the match for his match figure of 10/141.

It is after a while a leg spinner bowled so well at Lords. Woakes ran close with his equally impressive bowling of 11/102 in the match.

The joy and celebration of Pakistan team was pretty obvious. Their symbolic pushups led by Younis Khan and saluting demonstrated their resolve and discipline which can be exemplary for other teams.

We are admirers of good cricket and a great test match was played at Lords. Pakistan, with nose in front, looks favorite now for winning the series. Their opening partnership looks a bit brittle. But inspirational Misbah is leading them brilliantly and team looks cohesive.

BDST: 1133 HRS, JUL 18, 2016
SR