“Remarkable turnaround after that 2010 incident, this team took responsibility”, said Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq, in a reference to the Lord’s test six years ago where Amir bowled deliberate no-balls and was later banned and jailed.
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Pakistan’s players celebrated victory by doing press-ups in front of their jubilant supporters. England, set 283 for victory, were all out for 207.
Pakistan celebrate after wrapping up the first Test against England at Lord’s.
England seem nearly to be in a hopeless position, on a pitch that is only getting better for the bowlers as the match progresses, they will be chasing a score larger than their first innings having to bat last.
“We have a top spinner and the bowlers can really put pressure on the opposition”.
Left-arm quick Amir, at the scene of his 2010 spot-fixing crime, ended the match when he bowled last man Jake Ball.
“I think and I hope that he’ll perform like that, and prove to everybody and just be a really good man now, a really good cricketer and human being. It is a tough pill to take, losing at home but there are three games to go”.
On a gripping fourth day, Pakistan surged to victory with four wickets in 31 balls after Jonny Bairstow and Chris Woakes had threatened to work their way towards the target of 283.
“Credit to Pakistan, they played a good four days, but we’re very confident we can beat them, but we have to get better”.
Woakes, who was recalled to Test duty after fellow all-rounder Ben Stokes was injured during the preceding Sri Lanka series, now has an overall return of 11 for 101 – the first time he has taken at least 10 wickets in a Test match.
England began the chase confidently with Alastair Cook striking a boundary off his first ball, but the skipper was dispatched after he stabbed at Rahat Ali’s delivery and was caught by Sarfraz Ahmed. Alex Hales, Cook’s opening partner, made a brisk 16 before carelessly chasing a wide ball from Rahat, with Mohammad Hafeez holding a good catch at first slip.
“That was a special moment for him”, said Misbah, who in his first Test appearance at Lord’s had earlier made a superb century “That could be the start of a new life”, he added.
Vince added just one run to his lunch score when, not moving his feet, he edged a booming drive of a Wahab Riaz delivery that moved away to second slip Younis, who this time clung on at the second attempt.
Yasir Shah took his tally to six wickets in the innings as England were dismissed for 272 on the third morning at Lord’s and the hosts only managed a single breakthrough in 17 overs with the new ball.
Shah’s twin strikes then saw England further slip to 139-6 when Gary Ballance (43) and Moeen Ali (2) fell in quick succession before Bairstow and Woakes delayed the inevitable with their defiance.
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England will face a hard run chase once they finally remove Pakistan’s tail order in what promises to be a thrilling end to the test match.
