Pakistan cricket fans were not happy after the Babar Azam-led unit lost to England in the first Test in Rawalpindi on Monday.
England bowled out Pakistan for 268 runs in the second innings on the fifth and final day to clinch victory after setting the home side a target of 343 runs.
Spinner Jack Leach dismissed last-man-out Naseem Shah in fading light as the tailenders nearly held out for an improbable draw.
On a flat pitch it seemed that the match was heading towards a draw but a smart declaration by England captain Stokes and a spirited bowling effort in the second innings led the visitors to victory.
It must be noted that England plundered runs on a lifeless wicket in Rawalpindi in the first innings. The visitors were finally all out for 657 — including a record 506 from the first day Thursday — with four batsmen scoring centuries off the hapless Pakistan bowling.
In reply, three Pakistan batter scored centuries as the home side posted 579 in their first innings.
In the second innings, England batted a run-rate of over seven to set Pakistan a daunting target of 343 runs.
The second Test is in Multan from December 9-13, and the third in Karachi from December 17-21.
Hmmm …. na hum attack kar saktey hain na defend ….. I am sure ‘mera dil ye pukaray’ pe dance zaruur kar saktey hain 👌 #PAKvsEng
— Arslan Naseer – CBA (@ArslanNaseerCBA) December 5, 2022
England thoroughly deserved to win this Test. Their bold deceleration paid off. They’ve become such an exciting side. Sides like these will keep Test cricket alive.
We, on the other hand, are hell-bent on killing Test cricket. Flat tracks, negative tactics, fear of loss.— Nadeem Farooq Paracha (@NadeemfParacha) December 5, 2022
Naseem should have farmed the strike & protected tailender Azhar Ali.
— AZ (@azkhawaja1) December 5, 2022
