LONDON: Pakistan celebrated their victory over England at Lord’s in the first Test on Sunday with an unusual celebration when the squad performed a series of press-ups.
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Yasir Shah grabbed two wickets in quick succession as Pakistan moved closer to victory in the first Test against England at Lord’s on Sunday, the fourth day.
England faltered to a 75-run defeat against Pakistan as Yasir Shah had the final say in an epic first Investec Test at Lord’s.
After clinching the first test match of the series against England at Lord’s, Pakistan test cricket team captain Misbah-ul-Haq dedicated the win to deceased philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi. “I hope he’ll be a really good cricketer and human being now”. “He will definitely get better because sometimes there is some sort of mental block, because that had happened here, especially at this venue”.
Ballance was then bowled by a wonder-ball from Yasir that turned sharply and crashed into the Yorkshireman’s stumps.
Pakistan’s Misbah ul Haq in action. His back-off-a-length ball had left-hander Cook (eight) edging through to wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed.
Gary Ballance (43) and James Vince (42) put up any resistance – although there was a 108-ball vigil courtesy of the impressive Chris Woakes, which ultimately bore no fruit.
Joe Root, England’s new No. 3, got off the mark with a back-foot cover drive for four off Rahat and also drove him through the same region, off the front foot, for another boundary, but with a man set back for the shot, the star batsman fell into a hooking trap when he paddled a short ball from Rahat to Yasir Shah at deep square-leg.
England captain Alastair Cook, asked for his views on Pakistan’s unusual post-match celebrations, said: “You don’t take any offence, but certainly at that emotive time it’s not pleasant viewing”.
Moeen Ali then gave himself only three sighters before he went on the charge at Yasir, missed and was bowled by another leg-break.
Bairstow and Chris Woakes stemmed the flow of wickets and kept the scoreboard ticking during a tense afternoon but England eventually succumbed to Pakistan’s relentless attack.
All of that after Stuart Broad rattled through the Pakistan tail to leave the visitors leading by 282 – but that was enough for victory on a turning Day Four pitch.
Shah took his 10th wicket in the match when Woakes was caught by Younis Khan before Amir finished it off.
The second test starts Friday.
Pakistan will resume on Day 4 already eight wickets down, but having scored 214 their lead is now up to 281 and even that looks like a daunting fourth innings chase, particularly given England’s top order capitulation against Sri Lanka, and again in the first innings.
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England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow had faced criticism on Saturday, but got rid of Yasir Shah (30) with an athletic one-handed catch in the first over as Stuart Broad became the third English bowler to take 350 test wickets.
