Lord’s, London – July 18, 2016: In a thrilling day’s cricket, England fought valiantly but Pakistan’s potent bowling attack sent its batting line-up packing for 207 runs to draw first blood in this four-Test rubber by 75 runs inside four days.
Yasir again was the bowling hero, and man of the match, his four scalps making him the first Pakistani to claim a 10-for at Lord’s, etching his name a second time on the acclaimed honors board for second time in three days. But it was Rahat Ali who rattled England’s upper order with three wickets (Cook, Hales and Root) inside the first fifty runs, thus derailing England’s chase and setting up Yasir to have a compelling say on the matters, with Wahab Riaz in between accounting for Vince. Amir’s two wickets in the end sealed the win.
The spirit the game was played in by both sides was admirable, making it simply a fantastic Test match. The audiences, which created a new record on the first two days for matches involving England and Pakistan, were enthralled and the appetite now whetted for the rest of the series.
All the Pakistan team celebrated with press-ups in front of the pavilion in tribute and acknowledgement, as Misbah said later, to those army trainers who had put the whole team through a stiff regimen in preparation for the series.
Pakistan resumed on day 4 on 214-8 in overcast conditions and a new ball due in three overs.
Yasir Shah was out in the first over caught behind by Bairstow from Broad for 30 with nothing added to the overnight score of 214.
In his next over Broad, removed Amir who like Yasir, was caught behind for 1.
So Pakistan had lost both wickets this morning in ten minutes with only one run added to the overnight score and were all out for 215. England were now chasing a victory target of 283.
Cook cut the first ball of the innings for four from Amir. England accumulated 19 runs quickly but then Rahat Ali removed Cook caught behind for 8. Pakistan’s supporters in the crowd were jubilant. Three wickets had fallen in six overs bowled by both teams this morning this morning.
Joe Root came to the crease and hit his first ball for four.
Rahat struck again and removed Hales for 16 with a catch at slip by Hafeez.
Vince came in and he and Root set about shoring up England’s innings. An amazing dive from Younis at slip from Rahat almost removed Vince but the ball would not stick in despite two attempts.
The crucial wicket of Root came when he pulled Rahat straight into Yasir’s hands at deep square leg. The score now 47-3.
By lunch Ballance and Vince had taken the score to 90-3 but it was clearly Pakistan’s morning.
After lunch a superb delivery from Wahab swung away from Vince and was edged to Younis at second slip. This brought a joyous reaction from the Pakistan team. The score was now 96-4.
A good partnership between Ballance and Bairstow put on 40 runs and England’s position seemed to be getting stronger but then a moment of sheer brilliance from Yasir stunned Ballance with a ball which spun enormously and removed his leg stump. Shades of Shane Warne’s ball to Mike Gatting back in 1993.
Moeen Ali came to the crease and almost immediately attempted a huge heave from Yasir. An incredibly rash shot. He too was sent back to the Lord’s Pavillion as Yasir bowled him through the gate. Now the score was 139-6.
Woakes and Barstow proceeded cautiously to the tea interval and the score then was 155-6.
So as the sides emerged after tea England needed 128 runs and Pakistan needed 4 wickets to win the Test.
Woakes and Bairstow dug in after lunch and played very cautiously. They didn’t take a run from Yasir Shah until thirty minutes after the restart.
Wahab Riaz received two warnings from the Umpire for running on the wicket. One more and he would be removed from the bowling attack.
Wahab then reverted to bowling round the wicket, and more shape away from Woakes induced a, drive. An edge, fell inches short of third slip.
Another edge from Bairstow to Wahab again didn’t carry. Wahab was having no luck and the ground was very tense.
Sarfraz then claimed a caught behind from Woakes to Yasir. Umpire Dharmasena said no but Pakistan almost immediately reviewed the decision seemingly with confidence. The review was lost, however, and the third umpire upheld the not out decision.
The tight match continued as Barstow played and missed at Wahab. The game had now become a terrific contest. The tension continued and then Yasir bowled a beautiful leg-break which slammed into Chris Woakes' front pad. The Umpire’s finger went up but it was reviewed. The replay showed an inside edge and the crowd roared their relief. Woakes and Bairstow now brought up the fifty partnership.
Wahab had bowled his heart out in an aggressive spell but he was now replaced by Amir.
Suddenly at last Yasir broke Bairstow’s defences and bowled him. Pakistan supporters in the crowd erupted in joy.
Next up Mohammad Amir joined the party and bowled Broad. The joy continued and Pakistan were now two wickets from victory. England still 87 runs from victory. More was to come and the very next ball Amir trapped Finn LBW but on Review the third umpire saw an inside edge and reversed the decision. Could there be more drama?
Next to go was Woakes caught at slip by Younis from Yasir for a valiant 23. Yasir Shah had ten wickets in the match and another place on the Lord’s honours board.
Amir took the final wicket by bowling Ball was and a famous victory at Lord’s was Pakistan’s.
