Pakistan’s achievement is all the more impressive as they have not played a Test series on home soil since an armed attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore in 2009 turned the country into a no-go area for the world’s leading Test nations.
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Azhar smashed Moeen for a huge six to take Pakistan to 42-0 and clinch victory, punching the air in delight before leaving the field with Aslam to warm applause from the sun-baked crowd.
It is an unsustainable collective shortfall for a Test team with aspirations to top the world rankings.
Skipper Alastair Cook says England need to improve their top order batting following their drawn Test series against Pakistan. The Pakistan captain was pleased with the team’s ability to overcome the odds and bounce back in style, and was lavish in his praise of his team-mates for delivering when it mattered.
Man-of-the-match Younis added: “As a senior player I always want to contribute”. They have a chance to go to the top of the rankings if Sri Lanka and West Indies either draw or win their respective Tests against Australia and India.
Alastair Cook has admitted that England lack the consistency to be rated the No.1 Test side.
“There were lots of questions before we came here about whether we could only play in Asian conditions, but we have shown that we are good enough to play even in these conditions”.
Gary Ballance was four not out and Jonny Bairstow 14 not out. After two defeats, they fought back in this game and won.
It was no typical end of Test minefield with the ball turning dramatically out of the rough or reverse swinging, and England set about their task in confident, composed fashion.
The highest Pakistan has ever reached is second position following its series win over England in the United Arab Emirates previous year.
England are due to announce their squad for the five-match ODI series against Pakistan starting next week on Tuesday.
The momentum was continued by first-innings centurion Moeen Ali, who lofted Shah high over wide long-on for six and looked in complete command before an uncharacteristically flat-footed prod at the leg-spinner was caught by wicketkeeper Sarfraz for 32 in the penultimate over before lunch.
In India, where England face five Tests, Moeen will be tested like never before.
BOWLING: Mohammad Amir 21.4-7-65-0; Sohail Khan 15-2-50-1; Wahab Riaz 11.2-1-48-2 (5nb); Yasir Shah 29-4-71-5; Iftikhar Ahmed 2.2-1-1-1.
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In accordance with Article 2.5.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Players Support Personnel, which relates to minor over-rate offences, players are fined 10% of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time, with the captain fined double that amount.
