In the opening game of the three-match series, England stunned Pakistan by defeating them by a score of 74 runs, taking the final wicket in fast dwindling light.
On a flat Rawalpindi track, the visitors set Pakistan an implausible victory goal of 343 after scoring 657 in their first innings and second innings declaring on 264-7.
In a thrilling final session, Pakistan fought valiantly and reached 268 before being removed; Saud Shakeel led the hosts with 76 runs.
Azhar Ali scored 40 while playing with a broken finger, and Mohammad Rizwan produced 46, but their efforts were in vain.
Mohammad Ali and Naseem Shah, Pakistan’s last pair, held out for over nine overs before the former was bowled by Jack Leach just ten minutes before the game’s scheduled completion.
Ben Stokes, the captain of England, pointed to a sickness that several England players were suffering from, while talking to a presser.
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“The English captain praised his squad for traveling, despite feeling under the weather.
This victory is even more satisfying given all we had to deal with beforehand.”
Stokes’s audacious statement sparked an exciting match, and his bowlers put out a valiant effort on a lifeless field to secure a memorable triumph.
The most effective bowlers for England were Ollie Robinson (4-50) and James Anderson (4-36), and Stokes brilliantly led his team in the field.
Robinson, who scored 37 runs in the first innings and finished with five wickets, was named the game’s top performer.
Babar Azam Says Pakistan ‘Not Up To The Mark’ In First England Test
Babar Azam, the captain of Pakistan, lamented, “We were not up to the mark.
“We had a great opportunity to win this Test, but we kept dropping wickets session by session.”
The second Test in Multan begins on Friday.
