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Shahid Hashmi

  • Livingstone, Amir shine as Karachi Kings beat Multan

    Livingstone, Amir shine as Karachi Kings beat Multan

    DUBAI: England’s Liam Livingstone and Babar Azam put a new PSL record of scoring highest 157 runs opening partnership as Karachi Kings thumped Multan Sultans by seven runs in a last-over thriller at Dubai stadium.

    Livingstone, who played two Twenty20 internationals for England in 2017, knocked a brilliant 43-ball 82 on his PSL debut while world’s best Twenty20 batsman Babar chipped in with 59-ball 77 after Karachi captain Imad Wasim won the toss and opted to bat.

    Shoaib Malik’s 28-ball 52 and Laurie Evans’s 39-ball 49 gave Multan some hopes of a win but Karachi’s left-arm paceman Mohammad Amir took four wickets in a return-to-form spell for 25 runs to ensure the victory.

    This becomes Karachi’s second win over Multan in the two editions while one match ended as a no result.

    Malik upped the tempo after Multan were well short on the run-rate in the first ten overs with the board showing 59-2. Malik added 72 for the third wicket with Evans before a crucial run out broke the stand in the 15th over.

    Malik smashed five boundaries and two sixes — four boundaries and a six in Ravi Bopara’s 14th over which yielded 24 runs. It reduced the target to 60 in five overs but Malik holed out to Usman Shinwari with 45 needed for victory in 3.3 overs.

    Shahid Afridi, who switched from Karachi to Multan, hit three boundaries in his eight-ball 14. Multan needed 20 off the last two overs but Amir conceded just four and dismissed Afridi to bring Karachi back in the match. It was left to an expensive Sohail Khan — who had conceded 49 in his first three overs — to bowl the last over with 16 needed.

    It were Livingstone and Babar who set the tone for Karachi’s total of 183-6.  Livingstone smashed a four and a six off Afridi, completed his half-century off just 29 balls as Karachi Kings scored 93 runs in the first ten overs. They not only bettered Karachi’s best opening stand of 72 between Babar and Kumar Sangakkara they made against Peshawar in 2017, but it also shattered the overall PSL record of 153 between Sharjeel Khan and Shane Watson for Islamabad against Lahore at Sharjah in 2016.

    Australian leggie Chris Green provided Multan their first breakthrough when he had Livingstone caught in the deep and then had Babar and Imad (four) to finish with 3-32. That also stopped Karachi Kings from posting 200 as they managed 34 in the last five overs.

    Skipper Karachi Kings Imad Wasim praised the openers and Mohammad Amir who played an important role in the team’s impressive performance.

    “I am delighted that we pulled it back in the end,” said Imad. “We got a good total on the board and then got wickets when needed, especially Amir was brilliant.” he added.

    Malik, on the other hand, rued lack of boundaries and the dismissal of hard hitting Andre Russell as one of the major reasons behind their defeat.

    “It was a good match,” said Malik. “We lacked boundaries in the final overs and the dismissal of Russell, who can hit at will and anywhere, let us down. We should not have allowed them to score that many runs but on a good wicket their openers batted very well.”

  • Bilal Asif becomes 11th Pakistani to get five wickets on debut

    Bilal Asif becomes 11th Pakistani to get five wickets on debut

    DUBAI: Pakistan’s debutant off-spinner Bilal Asif led an Australian collapse with six wickets on the third day of the first Test in Dubai on Tuesday.

    Asif became the 11th Pakistani bowler to get five wickets in a Test inning, fetching the third best figures with 6-36 against Australia.

    The 33-year-old helped Pakistan derail Australia from a solid 142-0 to 202 all out on the second day in the first test, just behind Mohammad Zahid 7-66 against New Zealand at Rawalpindi in 1994 and 7-99 by Mohammad Nazir against New Zealand in Karachi in 1969.

    Image may contain: 1 person, playing a sport and outdoor

    The other bowlers to achieve this milestone include Arif Butt (6-89), Tanvir Ahmed (6-120), Shahid Afridi (5-52), Shahid Nazir (5-53), Wahab Riaz (5-63), Yasir Arafat (5-161), Mohammad Zahid (7-66), Shabbir Ahmed (5-48) and Mohammad Sami (5-36).

    Moreover, Mohammad Abbas also shined during the first inning for Pakistan as he dismissed four Australian batsmen for 29 runs. Yasir Shah, whom Australia were considering the major threat, remained wicketless.

    Pakistan managed to gain a lead of 280 runs as they dismissed the Kangaroos on 202 runs against their 482 runs in the first inning.

    The 33-year-old took his wickets off 22 balls as Australia slumped from a solid opening stand of 142-0 to be struggling on 180-5 at tea on a Dubai stadium pitch which has started to take a sharp turn.

    The second session too belonged to Asif, who dismissed Usman Khawaja (85), Shaun Marsh (seven), Travis Head (nought) and Marnus Labuschagne (nought) in the space of 29 runs.

  • Disappointed not to win the series but proud of my team: Sarfraz

    Disappointed not to win the series but proud of my team: Sarfraz

    LEEDS: Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed said he was disappointed not to win the first series in England for 21 years but was proud of his young team for a 1-1 result as people had thought his team will lose both in tough conditions.

    Pakistan went down by an innings and 55 runs with two days to spare on Sunday after their batting collapsed under the pressure of a big 189-run deficit, getting bowled out for 134 just before tea interval.

    That followed a brilliant nine wicket win at Lord’s in the first Test.

    “If you see when we came here people thought that we will not win one game,” said Sarfraz after the defeat. “But the way we played at Lord’s everything was perfect, our fast bowling was perfect, our batting and fielding were perfect.

    “It’s disappointing that we had a chance to win the series but unfortunately we didn’t play well here. I am proud of my young team, the way Abbas is bowling, Shadab is doing well, Faheem did well so really disappointed that we didn’t win but 1-1 is good for us.”

    Pakistan were caught on the wrong foot after they won the toss, batted and we bowled out for a paltry 174. England knocked 363 to take a big 189-run lead.

    Sarfraz admitted his team lacked discipline in batting.

    “We lacked discipline in batting in both the innings. We lacked that, the way we won the toss and batted we had hoped that we will do well but we lacked discipline.” said Sarfraz.

    “I think they also bowled well on the first day, but we had to play well in this innings but unfortunately we didn’t bat well as a unit.

    “In the first innings we must give credit to their bowling but in this innings our batsmen came under pressure. A lead of 180 plus put pressure and we committed mistakes. Our batting unit is young so they will learn from the mistakes.”

    Sarfraz disagreed to comment that batsmen were not learning from mistakes.

    “No, it’s not like this. Obviously we work hard and try to overcome our mistakes. Azhar is our main batsman, correct that he is not in the good nick but he scored a good fifty at Lord’s. So it’s not like we are not learning from our mistakes, whatever time we get during the match we try our best to overcome mistakes.”

    Sarfraz admitted a dropped catch off Jos Butler cost Pakistan dearly.

    “Catches are part of the game but yet if that Butler catch was taken, perhaps, things would have been different,” said Sarfraz of Hasan Ali’s drop catch off Butler off Shadab Khan on 16. Butler went on to make a solid 80 not out.

    “Catches are taken and dropped and that are part of the game but overall our fielding is good throughout, if you talk about this Test we took eight catches behind the stumps so that is good.

    “As for Hasan’s bowling he was a bit inconsistent, his deliveries were falling short but he tried his best, he is learning and I hope that the mistakes he committed he will learn from them. He is young so he will learn with time.”

    Sarfraz said there were big positives to take from the series.

    “There are a lot of positives, Abbas did well and we have found a bowler who can do well in Tests, we inducted Faheem Ashraf with a hope that he will bowl and bat. He did well in Ireland and scored runs, was good at Lord’s and he bowled well here so such kind of players are utility players.”

    He admitted his poor batting form was a concern.

    “Look if you talk about batting then I am not satisfied with my batting in the series. I committed mistakes and played a few bad shots, I am not satisfied but I always try to do well,” said Sarfraz who managed scores of nine, 14 and eight.

  • Pakistan’s vulnerable batting helps England level series

    Pakistan’s vulnerable batting helps England level series

    LEEDS: Pakistan’s vulnerable batting succumbed to a big first innings lead pressure to lose the second Test by an innings and 55 runs as England achieved a 1-1 series leveling on the third day of the second Test at Headingley on Sunday.

    England had stretched their lead to 189 by finishing at 363 — the same total Pakistan made at Lord’s —  and then the fact that Pakistan had never won a Test after conceding a lead of 144-plus became true as one after the other Pakistan batsman fell and even the nature did not help them as rain never came.

    Pakistan were 3-84 but lost their last seven wickets for just 50 to be bowled out for 134.

    But even a 1-1 series result should be a matter of great pride for this young team. No pundit had given this team any chance of returning with any win from England.

    But after a brilliant and surprising nine-wicket triumph at Lord’s many had believed that this team can go on and match Pakistan’s last series win in England in 1996.

    Former captain of that team Wasim Akram celebrated his 52nd birthday minutes before the last rites were done in the Test match but unfortunately the Pakistan team could not make their legendary paceman’s day memorable.

    The lack of fight and the stigma that Pakistan cannot perform well in consecutive two matches again haunted them.  Azhar Ali showed some semblance of fight but fell to an injudicious shot, cleaned up by James Anderson for 11. Haris Sohail looked good but played one shot too many and was caught for eight.

    Asad Shafiq has shown timidity in such situations and his half hearted attempt to push a leg side delivery only to get a glove on the way to wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow. It was Stuart Broad who wisely convinced his captain to take a review and it proved decisive. Asad made only five.

    Imam’s resistance also ended with England skipper Joe Root bringing off-spinner Dominic Bess to disturb the left-hander and his pre-determined push ended in a plumb leg-before for 34. It was an innings which promised some fight but ended in an insipid manner.

    Captain Sarfraz Ahmed’s form with the bat is disconcerting and here too he was caught half cocked and was leg-before for eight. Usman Salahuddin also showed a lot of promise but fell to another irresponsible shot, rather than showing some grit by prolonging the outcome. He made 33.

    Off-spinner Bess who went wicketless in the first Test and did not get a chance to bowl in the first innings here finally made his mark with 3-33. Broad took 30-28 and James Anderson finished with 2-35 nine in the series.

    This becomes England’s first win in eight Tests, having lost the five-match Ashes in Australia 4-0 and a two-match series in New Zealand 1-0.

    Even in this defeat Pakistan can hold their heads high.

    And Pakistan were 30 for two when Haris Sohail (eight) saw a hard-hit drive off Anderson brilliantly caught one-handed by a diving Bess at extra-cover.

    Any hope Asad Shafiq, one of Pakistan’s more experienced batsman, might steady the innings ended when he was given out on review for five after a thin glove down the legside off Stuart Broad was caught down the legside by wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow.

    Anderson had lunch figures of two for 23 in five overs.

    Scoreboard

    Pakistan 1st Innings 174 (Shadab Khan 56; S Broad 3-38, J Anderson 3-43, C Woakes 3-55)

    England 1st Innings (overnight: 302-7)

    A. Cook c Sarfraz Ahmed b Hasan Ali 46
    K. Jennings c Sarfraz Ahmed b Faheem Ashraf 29
    J. Root c Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohammad Amir 45
    D. Bess c Asad Shafiq b Shadab Khan 49
    D. Malan c Haris Sohail b Mohammad Amir 28
    J. Bairstow c Sarfraz Ahmed b Faheem Ashraf 21
    J. Buttler not out 80
    C. Woakes c Sarfraz Ahmed b Mohammad Abbas 17
    S. Curran c Asad Shafiq b Mohammad Abbas 20
    S. Broad c Mohammad Abbas b Faheem Ashraf 2
    J. Anderson c Haris Sohail b Hasan Ali 5

    Extras (b8, lb13) 21
    Total (all out, 106.2 overs, 469 mins) 363

    Fall of wickets: 1-53 (Jennings), 2-104 (Cook), 3-138 (Root), 4-200 (Malan), 5-212 (Bess), 6-260 (Bairstow), 7-285 (Woakes), 8-319 (Curran), 9-344 (Broad), 10-363 (Anderson)

    Bowling: Amir 23-5-72-2; Abbas 26-8-78-2; Hasan 20.2-4-82-2; Ashraf 20-4-60-3; Shadab 17-2-50-1

    Pakistan 2nd Innings

    Azhar Ali b Anderson 11
    Imam-ul-Haq lbw b Bess 34
    Haris Sohail c Bess b Anderson 8
    Asad Shafiq c Bairstow b Broad 5
    Usman Salahuddin c Root b Bess 33
    Sarfraz Ahmed lbw b Woakes 8
    Shadab Khan c Cook b Curran 4
    Faheem Ashraf c Malan b Bess 3
    Mohammad Amir not out 7
    Hasan Ali c Cook b Broad 9

    Mohammad Abbas c Root b Broad 1
    Extras (b5, lb5, n1) 11
    Total (all out, 46 overs, 229 mins) 134

    Fall of wickets: 1-20 (Azhar), 2-30 (Sohail), 3-42 (Shafiq), 4-84 (Imam), 5-97 (Sarfraz), 6-102 (Shadab), 7-111 (Ashraf), 8-115 (Salahuddin), 9-124 (Hasan), 10-134 (Abbas)

    Bowling: Anderson 10-2-35-2; Broad 12-2-28-3 (1nb); Curran 7-2-10-1; Woakes 6-0-18-1; Bess 11-1-33-3

    Result: England won by an innings and 55 runs
    Series: Two-match series ends level at 1-1

    Man-of-the-match: Jos Buttler (ENG)
    Man-of-the-series: Mohammad Abbas (PAK)

    Toss: Pakistan
    Umpires: Rod Tucker (AUS), Bruce Oxenford (AUS)
    TV umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS)
    Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)

    Previous Result

    May 24-May 27, 1st Test, Lord’s: Pakistan won by nine wickets

  • Pakistan captain Sarfraz hails overseas Pakistanis

    Pakistan captain Sarfraz hails overseas Pakistanis

    LONDON: Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed hailed the spirit, prayers and various contributions of the Pakistani community based in the United Kingdom especially in Leeds where the national team is playing the second and final Test against England.

    Pakistan skipper graced an Iftar dinner at a local hotel hosted by the community headed by Abdul Rehman Farrukh and appreciated the support his team has been getting from the overseas Pakistanis.

    “Whenever we come to the UK we get a lot of support from the Pakistani fans which spurs us on,” said Sarfraz. “Last year we won the Champions Trophy primary because of the hard work of the players backed by the proficient prayers by the community in the holy month of Ramadan.”

    Farrukh thanked Pakistani skipper for attending the dinner and vowed to continue community’s support to the team as well as to the country.

    “We live here abroad so we miss our country but whenever we get a chance to host our countrymen, our team and our high profile people we come forward,” said Farrukh, a software engineer by profession.

    “Pakistan team has raised our heads with pride by winning the Lord’s Test and we are praying that they do well to win the series which will be our first since 1996,” said Farrukh.

    A large number of Pakistani community attended the function and praised the young team for its progress.

    Read More: Sarfraz wants Pakistan’s senior service to lead at Lord’s

  • APS survivor meets Pakistan legends at Leeds

    APS survivor meets Pakistan legends at Leeds

    LEEDS: A teenage Pakistan boy, who survived the Army Public School terrorist attack in 2014, met the Pakistani cricket legends during the second day’s play between Pakistan and England at Headingley on Saturday.

    Waleed Khan survived a dozen bullets in the attack which left some 150 plus kids and teachers dead in one of the most barbaric attacks in Pakistan. He now plays cricket and studies in Birmingham.

    The boy was invited as a special guest by the Test Match Special commentary Team to Headingley to share the horrific experience of the attack and his life which changed after the attack.

    Waleed met Pakistan greats Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja who are here as part of the commentary team.

    “I am here before you after surviving the attack and enjoying life,” Waleed said. “I now play cricket and am honoured to have met Pakistani legends which is a dream come true for me.”

    Pakistan greats appreciated the bravery of Waleed and shared some good vibes with the teenager.

    ““Sometimes the real superheroes live in the hearts of the children who have fought the biggest battles” Waleed from APS school is one of our brave souls who survived one of the darkest days of our Nation. His strength is as Great as any man I know.

    Read More: APS attackers are worse than heretics: Sufi Muhammad

     

  • I waited for my time, says to-be debutant Usman

    I waited for my time, says to-be debutant Usman

    Seven years after an inauspicious one-day international debut, Usman Salahuddin is ready to turn those bitter memories as he gears up to play the second and final Test against England at Leeds starting on Friday.

    The 27-year-old will replace Babar Azam who injured his wrist during Pakistan’s nine-wicket win in the first Test at Lord’s.

    “It’s exciting,” said Usman. “The win was great and the kind of hard work the team did and the management we were destined to perform, so I will try to do my best. No doubt, it’s a great moment for me. It’s everyone’s dream to play Test for Pakistan.”

    Sent to bat at number seven on his ODI debut and then at five, Usman failed to make an impact and had to wait for seven years for another chance in the Pakistan cap.

    “Cricket is such a game where you don’t have to get discouraged. The team management did not let me go down, they gave me so much practice and backed me,” said Usman who was part of the squad for the tours of the West Indies and was also part of the 15 against Sri Lanka in UAE last year.

    Usman said he has the experience of playing league cricket in England.

    “I played in the premier league in New Castle and scored 69 not out so no doubt I have the experience of playing in these conditions,” said Usman, who believes playing late is the key in England.

    “I will play according to the situation. I will play my natural game and Insha’Allah do well.

    “I think you have to play late because conditions help swing and don’t drive much, you must wait for the bad ball and that’s my strategy,” said Usman whose idol in batting is former Pakistan great Mohammad Yousuf.

    “I was inspired by many players but personally I like Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam-ul-Haq. I follow Asad Shafiq in this team and Babar Azam and also like Virat Kohli.”

    Asked if his nikah proved lucky for him, a beaming Usman said: “Marriage changes a life, my nikah was held so it’s a good omen for me.”

    Usman said he has set big goals for himself.

    “I want to play for long, not for one match and get relax. I want to match Younis Khan’s 10,000 runs. I want to follow Inzamam and play long for Pakistan.”

    Read More: Rising Pakistan aim series whitewash

  • Rising Pakistan aim series whitewash

    Rising Pakistan aim series whitewash

    LEEDS: Pakistan had come to the United Kingdom to learn and progress as a new Test combination and had aimed to learn even if they lose against a formidable and experienced England team.

    On Friday they will start as favorites to clean sweep England in a short two-match series and jump from seventh in the Test ranking to fifth following their surprising yet emphatic nine-wicket win at Lord’s.

    So confident is Pakistan that they didn’t keep their final eleven until Friday morning but instead announced long-time tourist Usman Salahuddin will replace Babar Azam who, unfortunately, broke his wrist during his lead-giving 68 not out at Lord’s.

    Pakistan have not beaten England at Leeds since Imran Khan’s side won here in 1987 but their last Test – a neutral venue Test – saw them beat a mature Australia on the back of seven key wickets by Mohammad Amir.

    Amir looked in good touch in the second innings at Lord’s where he finished with 4-36 and together with Mohammad Abbas – who took eight wickets in the match – bamboozled England to a position where their most senior player Alastair Cook admitting that “a lot of careers will be on the line at Leeds.”

    That sums up the mood in both the camps. Skipper Sarfraz Ahmed vowed his team will do their best to win an important Test.

    “This is another very important Test for us,” said Sarfraz on Thursday. “We will try our level best to win the match and the series against a very good England team. We are in a process of learning so if we win here then it will be remembered for a long time.”

    Sarfraz backed Usman for the Test, saying he has been touring with the team for some time now.

    “We will play Usman,” said Sarfraz of the 27-year-old who made 69 not out in the side game against Leicestershire ahead of the Lord’s Test. “He is playing well and we found him better so that’s why we are going with him.”

    Usman played two one-day internationals but managed single figures cores after he was sent at number seven and five on team’s West Indies tour in 2011 and was part of the squad of last year’s West Indies tour and Pakistan’s series against Sri Lanka in UAE.

    Sarfraz admitted big individual scores will be needed from batsmen.

    “You seek improvement all the time so we need to improve on individual scores, make the 80s and 100s which we didn’t do at Lord’s,” said Sarfraz whose team scored 363 with Babar (68 not out), Asad Shafiq (59), Shadab Khan (52) and Azhar Ali 950) all settled but did not reached-figures mark.

    England will also hope their two senior batsmen Cook and skipper Joe Root improve on their 184 and 242 at Lord’s. Cook will set a new world record for most consecutive Test, leaving behind the great Australia Alan Border who played 153 matches on the trot. But it could be his last as well if he doesn’t score big.

    England is also sweating on the fitness of all-rounder Ben Stokes who suffered a hamstring injury and will be assessed. The 19-year-old left-arm pacer Sam Curran is named his cover up while Jonny Bairstow has recovered from a blow to the knee.

    Root admitted Stokes’s injury was a worry that delayed the announcement of the team.

    “Until we know how serious it is it’s hard to make decisions and because of that we can’t name a team today,” said Root.

    “Of course if Ben’s fit, we want him in the side, he’s one of our best players. He brings a lot to the table and offers so much to this team.”

    Root said England needed improvements.

    “It was very clear where we needed to improve from last week. We’ve had some good preparation, the guys have really worked hard and now it’s just doing it, going out and proving a point, putting a really strong performance in as a group and showing some pride in the badge.

    “When you are winning and performing well you have to keep churning out those performances and when you’re on the other side of it you’ve got to make sure you turn it around”.

  • England captain Root terms defeat “disappointing”

    England captain Root terms defeat “disappointing”

    LONDON: England captain Joe Root on Sunday described the nine wicket defeat against Pakistan as “disappointing” and hoped his team will overcome the loss in the second Test at Leeds staring on Friday.

    Pakistan cleaned up England’s four wickets in the space of just 18 balls for the addition of just seven runs and then wiped off the 64 needed for victory to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

    Pakistan outplayed their more formidable and experienced opponents as they bowled them out for 184 and 243 with paceman Mohammad Abbas taking eight wickets to deservedly win the man of the match award.

    Mohamad Amir also finished with 4-36 as Pakistan’s pacers took 18 of the 20 wickets — the first time since January 2004 against New Zealand at Wellington.

    Read More: Mohammad Abbas leads Pakistan boys to victory at Lord’s

    Root admitted England did not bat well.

    “It’s very disappointing,” said Root who made four and 68.  “We have been outperformed in all three departments, we have not batted well enough, first innings in particular. We have shown a bit of character in the second innings with the bat but we have to be better.

    “There have been a number of collapses recently and we have to find a way as a group. That’s a very individual thing but ultimately it’s about working out there together, whether it’s absorbing a bit of pressure on occasions or being more patient.”

    Root said patience will be the key with the team that has now lost six of their last eight Tests.

    “We have to be more patient and take our opportunities when we get them. Over a longer period of time that’s going to pay dividends for us. We can do that next week and we must take that chance.

    “We got it wrong, we know that. We need to be better in these conditions. These conditions suit us as well which is why it’s so disappointing. Look at that dressing room, it’s a talented team and there are guys in there who will do great things for England.

    “Our next opportunity to do that is at Headingley. We’ve got to turn things around, we’ve got to be clever about how we do things. We’ve got to be smarter in certain situations. If we get that right you’ve seen the performances the guys can do, especially at home. It is disappointing.

    Root admitted his team has not learnt quickly.

    “We can’t ignore this. We have to learn from it quickly. But also we can’t put too much pressure on ourselves to change things. A lot of the things that we do are very good. We just have to do them more often.”

    Root admitted his batsmen committed mistakes.

    “We are ambitious, we want to win but sometimes we make poor decisions. We’ve got to be smarter with that. Guys have got to find a way of scoring runs. Ultimately it’s about the number of runs you score, not how long it takes you and maybe on occasion we need to absorb a bit more pressure. We’ve seen in the past guys like Ben Stokes come in at 40/4 and take a game away from a side. It’s a fine margin. You have to recognise the right times to attack.”

    Root disagreed his team did not have good preparations.

    “We had some really good practice days here and the majority of the guys had two championship games at least going in to this game. In that respect you’d like to think the guys had enough under their belt. You go into most series with two games so it’s an easy excuse to hide behind. The reality is we weren’t good enough this week and we were outperformed. It’s a bitter pill to swallow at home but that’s where we are at.”

    On the spot-fixing allegations in India Root said: “I am aware that there is a documentary and it is outrageous that our players have been accused. All the players have the full backing of the ECB. It’s not anything for the guys to worry about, we have to focus on winning at Headingley. It’s an outrageous accusation and I’m sure that all the right channels will be taken by the ECB and those who need to worry about it.”

  • Mohammad Abbas leads Pakistan boys to victory at Lord’s

    Mohammad Abbas leads Pakistan boys to victory at Lord’s

    LONDON: Pakistan team lived up to its reputation of surprising the world as they upset a more experienced England by nine wickets to clinch the Lord’s Test and take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series on a sunny Sunday. 

    If someone had predicted that Pakistan’s young and inexperienced Test team will make a short shrift of England inside three days he would have been mocked off but here this young Pakistan team had shown the world that if they play to their potential nothing is beyond them.

    Pakistan did lose Azhar Ali in the chase but Haris Sohail batted with aggression for 39 not out and Imam-ul-Haq made 18 as Pakistan crossed the target in just 12.4 overs.

    The victory is the second for Sarfraz Ahmed as skipper after he lost both the Tests against Sri Lanka in UAE in his debut series as captain and a reward for the way he led a young team.

    Pakistan outplayed a more formidable and experienced England side for which they deserved all the credit. England too to their disadvantage took the Pakistan team lightly.

    Mohammad Abbas, playing only his seventh Test and had two weeks ago taken nine wickets in Pakistan’s fighting win over debutant Ireland, led the pack with another four wicket burst for 41 runs — eight wickets in the match to be deservedly declared man of the match.

    Mohammad Amir, who was much criticised for his lack of wickets, finished with 4-36 as Pakistan’s bowling put England into submission in both the innings.


    After bundling out England for 184 in the first innings with superb bowling and as good fielding, Pakistan batsmen negated a world class England attack to take a decisive 179-run lead.

    Pakistan had only lost once after taking a lead in access of 160 runs but few expected it will come on the fourth morning.

    Jos Butler and debutant Dominic Bess had delayed Pakistan’s victory which could have come on the third afternoon.

    But any fears of England upsetting the applecart were removed as Pakistan took just 18 balls to get the remaining four wickets on the fourth morning with the addition of only seven runs.

    Hasan Ali started the proceedings and Butler took a single to get to the other end and Abbas produced a beauty to catch Butler on the half prod and got him leg-before off just the eighth ball of the day.

    A disappointed Butler challenged Paul Rieffel’s decision but to no avail as it was an umpire’s call. Pakistan took the second new ball after 80.2 overs and with the fourth ball off the new cherry Amir had Mark Woods caught behind.

    Pakistan players were super excited, they needed just two more wickets and for that they did not need to wait. Abbas produced another superb delivery to get Stuart Broad caught behind.

    Broad never looked like staying, someone who had scored a big hundred against Pakistan at this same venue in 2010 had looked a rabbit against this Pakistan attack. Amir didn’t take long to end resistance from Bess, cleaning him with another superb delivery for 57.

    Pakistan have now achieved fifth win at Lord’s repeating their wins in 1982, 1992, 1996 and 2016. Lord’s is so kind to Pakistan, so now they move to not so favourite Leeds where the second Test starts on Friday.

    Brief scores:

    England 1st Inns 184 (A Cook 70; Mohammad Abbas 4-23, Hasan Ali 4-51)

    Pakistan 1st Inns 363 (Babar Azam 68, Asad Shafiq 59, Shadab Khan 52, Azhar Ali 50; B Stokes 3-73)

    England 2nd Inns 242 (J Root 68, J Buttler 67, D Bess 57: Mohammad Amir 4-36, Mohammad Abbas 4-41)

    Pakistan 2nd Inns 66-1

    Result: Pakistan won by nine wickets

    Series: Pakistan lead two-match series 1-0