Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

PIX: Woakes, Buttler propel England to unlikely win over Pakistan

Last updated on: August 09, 2020 08:55 IST

Images from Day 4 of the first Test between England and Pakistan in Manchester on Saturday.

Scorecard

Chris Woakes

IMAGE: Chris Woakes celebrates victory with Dom Bess after winning the first Test against Pakistan in Manchester, on Saturday. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images for ECB

A magnificent partnership between Chris Woakes and Jos Buttler helped propel England to an unlikely three-wicket victory over Pakistan in a topsy-turvy first Test at Old Trafford on Saturday.

 

Woakes joined Buttler at the crease with England having slumped to 117-5 in their pursuit of a daunting 277 on a bowler-friendly pitch. But they launched a superb counter-attack to turn the tide with a sixth-wicket stand worth 139 runs.

Buttler was eventually out lbw for 75 to leg spinner Yasir Shah with England requiring another 21 for victory, briefly reviving Pakistan's flagging hopes.

Joe Root

IMAGE: Joe Root looks disappointed after being dismissed by Naseem Shah. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images for ECB

Stuart Broad was also dismissed lbw attempting to knock off the last four runs but fittingly Woakes edged a boundary to clinch victory, ending unbeaten on 84.

Pakistan earlier boosted their overnight 137-8 with 32 quickfire runs to be bowled out for 169 -- a frenetic flourish that looked to have put the visitors in control on a dry pitch offering bounce, pace and spin.

England had reached 86-1 in reply with skipper Joe Root looking in control, but quick wickets left them reeling in their attempt at the second-highest successful fourth-innings run chase seen at Old Trafford.

Ben Stokes

IMAGE: Yasir Shah celebrates with teammates after the successful review to dismiss Ben Stokes. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images for ECB

When Ollie Pope gloved an unplayable brute of a Shaheen Afridi delivery to gully, England still needed 160 with five wickets left.

But Buttler, and more surprisingly Woakes, took the game by the scruff of the neck.

"It was a fantastic win, it looked a long way away on Friday," Buttler said. "I think from the position we were in to get over the line was a fantastic effort.

"We wanted to be positive and put pressure back on Pakistan and try to replicate a one-day chase."

England

IMAGE: Mohammad Abbas celebrates Rory Burns’s wicket. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images for ECB

The only sad thing was there were no fans at Old Trafford to witness another great advert for Test cricket.

Pakistan blotted their copybook on Friday when, having earned a 107-run first innings lead, they slumped to 137-8.

They were still in the driving seat though and more so after an extraordinary start on Saturday when Yasir Shah added 21 runs to his overnight total, including one audacious six off Broad.

Broad eventually had him caught behind for 33 and Jofra Archer bowled 17-year-old Naseem Shah to restore order.

England openers Rory Burns and Dom Sibley looked relatively secure as they negotiated the opening burst from Mohammad Abbas and Shaheen Afridi before Abbas dismissed Burns lbw to leave England on 55-1 for at lunch.

Jos Buttler

IMAGE: England's Jos Buttler hits out. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images for ECB

Sibley dug in after the break and, with Root looking increasingly comfortable, the pendulum swung England's way.

But having made a patient 36, Sibley was tempted into a drive at Yasir Shah and edged to Asad Shafiq at slip.

Root (42) was undone by a well-directed delivery from teenage quick Shah that took the splice of the bat and flew to Babar Azam at first slip.

Pakistan were cock-a-hoop when the impressive Yasir pitched one in the rough outside off stump and the ball pitched up at England dangerman Stokes and flew to keeper Mohammad Rizwan who juggled a superb catch. Initially given not out, Stokes (9) was aghast when a review showed the ball had brushed his glove.

Pope (7) had no chance when a ferocious full-length Afridi delivery reared up and caught his glove before looping up to Shadab Khan at gully.

There seemed no way back for England but Buttler and Woakes began playing with freedom, putting on 50 in 49 balls to put some doubts into Pakistan heads.

By the time they were parted, the victory that had looked so unlikely was all but assured.

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.