RAWALPINDI: A phenomenal bowling effort by England’s fast bowlers, led by the veteran Jamie Anderson, saw the visitors rout Pakistan here on Day 5 of the first Test between the two sides. Pakistan started off the day, needing 263 runs with eight wickets in hand on a placid track.
However, Imam-ul-Haq’s dismissal after Pakistan played three consecutive maiden overs meant that they were more nervous of the two sides despite having the home advantage over the visitors. While Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel brought Pakistan back in the chase, Rizwan’s dismissal followed by that of Shakeel in two successive overs derailed the chase.
For a brief period, the experienced Azhar Ali and Agha Salman brought some calm to the chase with Pakistan needing only 86 runs to win in the last session with five wickets in hand. However, the relentless English fast bowling saw Pakistan succumb to the pressure with the home side losing to the visitors by 74 runs.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s premier fast bowler Haris Rauf has been ruled out of the second Test in Multan, making his participation doubtful in the rest of the series. Pakistan’s ace pacer Shaheen Afridi is already out with an injury.
Ollie Robinson was declared the Player of the Match for his 4-fer in the second innings. England lead the series 1-0 with two Tests to go.
