Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq became the oldest player to score a Test century for 82 years as he helped his side recover against England at Lord’s on Thursday.
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“And we now know if we can come out in the morning, get a couple and try to restrict them to about 350 then we’re well in the game”.
“It was nice to have [his Notts team-mate] Stuart [Broad] at mid-on when I was bowling, talking me through it, keeping me calm”, Ball said.
Insisting he has no reason to slow up in his career despite his advancing years, Misbah said: “I promised the army guys I would do the push-ups if I got a century”.
He said: “I resigned myself to going back to my mark, so to see it just clipping was a relief and a moment I won’t forget”.
Only time (and, perhaps, a few reveal-all autobiographies) will tell how some of the less naturally compliant members of Pakistan’s Test squad have taken to the events of the past few months, in which their preparations for a seminal tour of England have included beastings at the country’s Military Academy at Abbottabad, as well as intensive skills and acclimatisation camps in both Lahore and Hampshire.
“It was a great day and I hope I proved I can play Test cricket”.
Centurion Misbah-ul-Haq believes Pakistan need another 100 runs to seize control of the first Investec Test at Lord’s after he led his side’s recovery against England with a majestic ton on a placid wicket.
Nottinghamshire fast bowler Jake Ball was awarded his test debut as the 25-year-old Englishman replaced injured James Anderson.
Pakistan moved on to 76 for 2 at lunch but Azhar Ali had failed to add to his interval score of seven when he was literally knocked off his feet by a Ball yorker and given out lbw by Dharmasena. But first-change Woakes removed both openers.
They had their chances with Misbah, Joe Root missing a tough one low to his left at second slip when he drove at Finn on 16, and then when he was stranded mid-pitch on 58 after a mix-up with Shafiq, only for Gary Ballance’s shy at the stumps to narrowly miss its target.
Chris Woakes, the allrounder, twice took two wickets in quick succession at either end of the day.
Shan Masood was caught behind by Jonny Bairstow.
Hafeez’s 59-ball innings ended when he tried to work to leg a short ball from the Warwickshire all-rounder that swung away a touch only to get a top edge, with Bairstow holding the skyed chance.
Misbah was severe on off-spinner Moeen Ali, reverse and conventionally sweeping him for four fours in an over. He was out shortly before the close when, trying to withdraw the bat against Woakes with the new ball, he was caught behind.
Misbah said: “I rate this as my top innings in Test cricket and I’m really happy about that”.
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“It’s a dream to play at Lord’s, and especially getting a hundred and my name on the honours board”, he said. “You think about the game”.
