Abdul Jabbar Faisal
RAWALPINDI: Historical Pindi Test entered into an interesting phase, as the Pakistan will be required 263 while England will be needed 8 wickets to earn the lead in the three-match series on the final day of the Pindi Test. 90 overs will be bowled on the last day. Pakistan were 80 for 2 in 20 overs at the end of day-4 game here at Pindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
England set a 343 runs target for hosts after declaring their second innings at 264 for 7 in 55.5 overs at the tea break. Earlier, Pakistan lost their all the ten batters at the total of 579. Agha Salam added valuable 53 runs in the Pakistan’s total on Sunday. Will Jacks captured 6 for 161 runs, were best figures for the visitors’ side.
Once again, Harry Brook knocked a belligerent innings by hitting 11 fours and 3 sixes during his 65 balls innings, as all the Pakistani bowlers were helpless. Former England captain Joe Root also presented his batting class by scoring 73 runs in 63 deliveries. Zak Crawley scored 50 runs in 48 balls that supported his team to get some quick runs. He smashed seven fours.
Three Pakistani bowlers Mohammad Ali, Naseem Shah, Zahid Mehmood shared 2 wickets each against 64, 66 and 84 runs respectively. Agha Salman got one wicket after giving 47 runs.
On Sunday morning, Pakistani batters, Agha Salman and Zahid Mehmood resumed their innings at 499 for 8 and added 80 runs to the team’s total. Green Shirts closed their first innings at 579 after playing 155.5 overs. The visitors earned a 78 runs lead over Pakistan before starting their second innings.
However, Agha Salam showed some aggression and hit some creaking strokes during his 53 run innings, which was a blend of seven fours and a huge six. Zahid scored 17 while Haris Rauf 12 runs. Mohammad Ali remained not out without scoring a single run.
Summarized Scorecard (Pindi Test):
Toss: England won and decided to bat
England Batting (First innings): 657 all out in 101 overs
Harry Brook (153 runs, 116 balls, 4x19, 6x5), Zak Crawley (122 runs, balls 111, 4x2, 6x0), Ollie Pope (108 runs, 104 balls, 4x14), Ben Duckett (107 runs, 110 balls, 4x15, 6X0), Joe Root (23 runs, 31 balls, 4x3, 6x0), Ben Stoke (41 runs, 18 balls, 4x6, 6x2)
Pakistan (Bowling):
Zahid Mehmood (4 for 235), Naseem Shah (3 for 140), Mohammad Ali (2 for 124), Haris Rauf (1 for 78)
Pakistan Batting (First innings): 579 all out in 155.3 136 overs
Babar Azam 136 (168 balls, 4x19, 6x1), Imam-ul-Haq 121 (207 balls, 4x15, 6x2), Abdullah Shafiq 114 (203 balls, 4x13, 6x3), Agha Salman 53 (67 balls, 4x7, 6x1) Saud Shakeel 37 (93 balls, 4x3), Mohammad Rizwan 29 (44 balls, 4x3), Azhar Ali 27 (48 balls, 4x5)
England (Bowling):
Will Jacks (6 for 161), Jack Leach (2 for 190), James Anderson (1 for 52), Ollie Robinson (1 for 72)
England Batting (Second Innings): Declared at 264 for 7 in 35.5 overs
Harry Brook 87 (65 balls, 4x11, 6x3), Joe Root 73 (69 balls, 4x6), Zak Crawley 50 (48 balls, 4x7), Wills Jack 24 (13 balls, 4x1, 6x3)
Pakistan Bowling:
Mohammad Ali (2 for 64), Naseem Shah (2 for 66), Zahid Mehmood (2 for 84) Agha Salman (1 for 47)
Pakistan Batting (Second Innings) Target 343
Imam-ul-Haq 43 (60 balls, 4x7), Saud Shakeel 24 not out (42 balls, 4x5), Abdullah 6, Babar 4
England Bowling:
Ben Stoke (1 for 20) Oille Robinson (1 for 22)
