England have pulled off a stunning 74-run victory over Pakistan in their first Test in the country in 17 years, claiming the final wicket in rapidly fading light to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The win has been hailed as one of England’s greatest ever.
Referring to the combination of captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, former Australian Test batter Mark Waugh tweeted: ‘McCullum/Stokes changing the way test cricket is to be played. Courageous, fearless positive mindset gets them a win in Rawalpindi on the most docile surface. I don’t think any other team in world cricket would have rolled the dice like that. Bring on the Ashes next year.’
Scoring at more than six-an-over in both innings the tourists racked up 657 in their first dig and declared their second on 7-264, setting Pakistan an tempting victory target of 343 in four sessions on a docile track.
Pakistan, 2-80 overnight, and 3-169 at lunch, looked favourites to win at tea on day five. With five wickets in hand they needed 86 at roughly four-an-over.
But England took the last five wickets for 11 runs bowling the hosts out for 268 in a gripping final session watched by a near full house at Pindi Cricket Stadium.
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Pace duo James Anderson (4-36) and Ollie Robinson (4-50) were England’s most successful bowlers while Ben Stokes marshalled his team expertly in the field.
Saud Shakeel top-scored for hosts with 76, Mohammad Rizwan made 46 and Azhar Ali 40 with an injured finger.
Pakistan’s last pair of Naseem Shah and Mohammad Ali resisted for nearly nine overs before the former fell lbw to Jack Leach barely 10 minutes before the scheduled end of play.
Jack Leach is mobbed after taking the last wicket. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
After a tense wait for a DRS review England celebrated with exhausted joy. There was less than 10 minutes light left.
“A few days ago we were running around trying to start on time,” captain Stokes said referring to a virus which affected several England players and ruled out wicketkeeper Ben Foakes.
“So credit to the group for coming here, turning up under the weather…What we’ve had to deal with coming in makes this win even better.
“I think it’s up there with one of England’s greatest away Test match wins. Jimmy Anderson said he was feeling very emotional trying to keep himself together.
“Having a bloke who’s played nearly 180 Test matches to feel like that at the end of this, I think we’ve achieved something very special this week.”
The win had Stoke’s captaincy predecessors gushing with praise.
“I don’t think I’ve seen a better week of captaincy,” said Nasser Hussain, who was captain the last time England won away to Pakistan, in Karachi in 2000.
“They needed to do everything right to go 1-0 up and they did. On the flattest of flat pitches, Pakistan played their part, but in the end England’s run-rate and heart just blew them away.”
Another former captain, Michael Atherton, added: “It has to be one of England’s finest ever Test match wins. I couldn’t think of another England side that would have won the game on this pitch.”
Pakistan captain Babar Azam admitted his team “were not up to the mark”.
“We had a golden chance to win this test, but session by session we kept losing wickets.”
The second Test in Multan begins on Friday.
BarmyFarmer
Roar Rookie
There absolutely is. I’m not saying Wasim isn’t on the same level I’m just saying Anderson is right up there with him when it comes to the art of swing bowling. Not sure how you get 600+ wickets swinging the ball both ways over 15 years and can’t be proclaimed as one of the most prodigious swing bowlers of all time.
Micko
Roar Rookie
That would be more of a concern for the selection committee if Warner is even in the test side in India & England in 2023!
jammel
Roar Rookie
Yeah-na. I am not too worried about the Poms. When they come up against Haze/Cummo and one of Starc/Jhye Richardson/Boland/etc, on an English wicket, they'll fall apart. I think its winning the Ashes in England time again :) Warner might be a little bit of a concern though in 2023...India + England; could be tough.
Grand Panjandrum
Guest
I said not AS prodigious at swing. Waqar and Wasim are the greatest swing bowlers of all time. There is no disputing that.
Pom in exile
Roar Rookie
That’d be a first.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
You’re probably right
BarmyFarmer
Roar Rookie
The fella swings it around corners
Pom in exile
Roar Rookie
I would say that he’s matured on that front. England played a series against NZ a number of years ago now and it seemed to be a watershed moment for them as a team as it was played without any sledging. They have stayed on that path since it seems. Jimmy is much more docile now. David Warner has trod a similar path.
Micko
Roar Rookie
"Not AS prodigious with swing".
Micko
Roar Rookie
Great innings too. New Zealanders hold the record for the fastest test century and fastest double century, but only one of those two was a truly great test innings. :cricket:
Micko
Roar Rookie
Marnus & Ussie both moved here as young children as well, so no different to Stokes.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
That’s unpleasant. As an Australian living in England, I see shock and excitement more than I see self-congratulatory back-slapping, even if these performances thoroughly merit it. How about giving some credit where it’s due?
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Bazball, bazball, bazball. And, naff as it sounds, don't tell me McCullum and Stokes don't secretly love that they've changed the way the game is being played and it's got a name
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Likeable interviewee and intelligent and thoughtful but he's unpleasant on the pitch so opposition fans find it hard to like him
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
He's an all-time great, just that there are a number of guys rated more highly due to his inability to consistently impact matches in SA and Aus.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Brilliant performance on every level, not least the captaincy. I recall how Cummins got sledged on here when he declared late and Pakistan drew the second match but scored 440-odd and looked like they might win it at one stage. With that background, the declaration was brave and, as it turned out, perfectly timed
FunBus
Roar Rookie
It was only a close game, though, because England knew it was the only way to get a result on that pitch. England could have batted out and not given Pakistan a sniff. I actually don't think the media reaction would have been too negative if they had lost. Stokes and McCullen made it clear they were increasing their chances of losing to increase their chances of winning. As I said elsewhere, England will lose games they could have drawn with this new approach and win games they would have drawn or lost. Where all that finishes on the ledger in retrospect will be interesting. Particularly with the Ashes coming up.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Brendan McCullum holds the record for the fastest test cricket century of all time, scoring it in just 54 balls against Australia in Christchurch in 2015/16 season.
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Good points funbus. Im not trying to take away from a cracking win, kudos England! Just saying that Pakistan was very very close to coming back and winning the match and I would call it a very even contest whenever a test is decided in the final session. If Pakistan wins then the media reaction is the polar opposite and the hyperbole would be in the other direction I absolutely agree that the rapid first innings scoring and the aggressive declaration won the game so well done and enjoy it
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Good point re field position. Root was such a conservative captain and often followed the ball with his field positions. McCullum is the antithesis of the root approach and it looks to be the way for the Eng team under Stokes