Author: shah.khalid

RAWALPINDI: The pitch used in the Rawalpindi Test – the first of the three-match series between Pakistan and England – has been rated below average by the International Cricket Council on Tuesday. 

The pitch which yielded around 1768 runs throughout the course of five days, has earned its second demerit point within a year for providing little to no assistance to the bowlers.

According to the ICC, match referee Andy Pycroft released his findings on Tuesday and the venue received its second consecutive rating of ‘below average’ since the same rating was given to the pitch after the first Test between Pakistan and Australia in March, earlier this year.

“It was a very flat pitch which gave almost no assistance to any type of bowler. That was the main reason why batters scored very fast and both sides posted huge totals. The pitch hardly deteriorated during the course of the match.” Pycroft said.

“Since there was very little in it for the bowlers, I found the pitch to be “below average” as per the ICC guidelines.” he added.

Pycroft’s report has also been forwarded to the Pakistan Cricket Board

After receiving consecutive demerit points under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, the venue is at serious risk of getting suspended from hosting any international cricket if more demerit points are lost.

According to ICC guidelines, when a venue accumulates five demerit points (or crosses that threshold), it will be suspended from hosting any international cricket for a period of 12 months, while a venue will be suspended from staging any international cricket for 24 months when it reaches the threshold of 10 demerit points.

It is pertinent to mention here that many batting records were tumbled on the flat Rawalpindi surface during the first Test, including the highest total scored and four centurions on the opening day of a Test match. England smashed 506/4 with help of astounding hundreds from Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook and Ollie Pope on the first day.

England sealed a sensational 74-run win against Pakistan in Rawalpindi Test following a tense final session on the final day.

MULTAN: The squads of Pakistan and England have landed in the city to partake in the upcoming second Test of the historic series after a delay in their flight.

According to the details, the teams were originally scheduled to depart for Multan at 11 AM from Islamabad International Airport, however, dense smog here caused a three-hour delay.

Both squads then boarded a special charter flight PK 6681 which took off from the capital at 2:40 PM and arrived at Multan International Airport within an hour.

Following their arrival, the teams were then taken to the local hotel under tight security.

It is pertinent to mention that following England captain Ben Stokes’ brave declaration, the bowlers’ brilliance powered the touring side to claim a scintillating victory over Pakistan in the first Test.

The second Test of the historic series will commence on December 9 here at the Multan International Cricket Stadium.

READ: Haris Rauf ruled of England Test series due to injury

RAWALPINDI: Experienced batter Azhar Ali, who sustained a blow to his index finger the other day, has been declared fit to bat on the final day of the first Test as Pakistan are striving to chase 343 runs posted by England with three wickets down so far. 

According to the PCB spokesperson, the medical board declared the right-handed batter fit for play on the last day.

On Sunday,  Azhar underwent an X-Ray at a local hospital here as a precautionary method to examine a likely injury that the former sustained on the fourth day of the Rawalpindi Test.

Ollie Robinson’s short ball struck Azhar hard and hurt his index finger. The physio treated the right-handed batter on the field, but he made the decision to return to the pavilion.

The Rawalpindi Test entered a crucial stage as England struck down strong-looking Imam-ul -Haq, who was just two runs short of his fifty, early on day 5 to set the alarm bells ringing for Pakistan. The home side needs another 245 runs while England require seven wickets to win the first Test.

READ: England thrash Senegal 3-0 to book quarter-final clash with holders France

RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official on Friday provided an update regarding veteran batter Azhar Ali’s injury scare during the post-match press conference after the conclusion of Day 4 of the ongoing Rawalpindi Test.

According to the PCB spokesperson, Azhar will undergo an X-Ray at a local hospital here as a precautionary method to examine a likely injury that the former sustained on the fourth day of the Rawalpindi Test.

“Azhar Ali’s finger is injured. He is being taken for the x-rays,” shared the PCB media manager.

“If there is any more information, we will share it,” he added.

Ollie Robinson’s short ball struck Azhar hard and hurt his index finger. The physio treated the right-handed batter on the field, but he made the decision to return to the pavilion.

It is pertinent to mention that the fiery England side turned the dull Rawalpindi Test into an enthralling contest as they put Pakistan to bat again on the same day and took wickets to put the home team under pressure.

Pakistan, however, are perfectly positioned to win the first Test as they require 263 runs on the final day to take a lead in the three-match series.

READ: Bangladesh beat strong India in low-scoring thriller 

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan all-rounder commented on his side’s approach towards the ongoing Rawalpindi Test after England captain Ben Stokes’s brave decision of declaring the second innings set the hosts a 343-run target.

Agha, while talking at the post-match press conference following the conclusion of an eventful fourth day of the first Test as Pakistan need a further 263 runs on the final day and shared that the team’s top priority would be to save the match but also asserted that the home side’s camp is eyeing to win.

“Top priority is to save the match. We are very excited to bat and if found the opportunity I will try my best to win it for my team,” Agha shared.

“Everyone in the camp is discussing winning this match but we must give credit to England for the way they played,” he added.

In a query regarding his style of play and the instructions from the team’s management, the all-rounder shared that he has been given the liberty to play in his comfort zone.

It is pertinent to mention that the fiery England side turned the dull Rawalpindi Test into an enthralling contest as they put Pakistan to bat again on the same day and took wickets to put the home team under pressure.

Pakistan, however, are perfectly positioned to win the first Test as they require 263 runs on the final day to take a lead in the three-match series.

READ: Imam, Saud lead Pakistan chase after England brave declare 

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq commented on the team’s batting approach in response to England’s mammoth total of 657 in the first innings of the ongoing Rawalpindi Test.

Pakistan batters had a tough task ahead of them when England batters finished at a massive 657 at the back of four centuries from Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook.

The hosts, however, did not hold back on what is considered to be a batting paradise as centuries from Imam, Abdullah Shafique and captain Babar Azam put Pakistan in a fighting position as they finished at 499/7 and are still 158 runs behind.

One of Pakistan’s centurions Imam then talked to the media after the conclusion of the third day, which too remained majorly dominated by the batters and shared how Pakistan’s batters approached England’s massive total.

“Sometimes, when you see the opposition team scoring 650 runs it gives you a really tough time mentally as the expectations from us also mount that we too, will play longer,” said Imam.

“Since they have played the first innings and scored a massive total so we were not left with many chances, we can’t take risks and also need to save the team,” he added.

The left-handed opener then responded to a question regarding Pakistan’s approach towards the outcome of the high-scoring match and shared that the team is not thinking yet to go for the draw.

“Again when there are 650 runs on the board, so obviously, first of all, we have to save ourselves. But, we did not think about going for the draw as of yet because their total was around 650 so we had to play four to five sessions at least to get closer to them,” Imam shared.

Imam then went on to predict the nature of the pitch in the last two days by sharing that it has already started breaking and he also experienced a little uneven bounce on the third day.

“I noted the variations in the pitch today. It started to break and bowlers were getting a little more bounce but sometimes it kept low,” shared Imam.

“It was the third-day wicket so in upcoming days it would definitely change and might no longer be a batting paradise,” Imam stated.

“But again I would say, we would play as per the situations we get and play in the present and once we get in a certain situation then we will also be looking at the future that either we have to go for the chase or to fight for the draw,” he maintained.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan gave a befitting response to England’s record 657-run total as the home side raised 499/7 before stumps with help of Imam, Abdullah and Babar’s centuries.

READ: Pakistan even response with three tons hangs Rawalpindi Test in balance

RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official on Friday provided an update regarding right-arm speedster Haris Rauf’s injury scare during the post-match press conference after the conclusion of Day 2 of the ongoing Rawalpindi Test.

According to the PCB spokesperson, Haris underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at a local hospital here as a precautionary method to examine a likely injury that the former sustained on the first day of the Rawalpindi Test.

Haris rolled over the ball in a fielding attempt on the first day of the match and felt discomfort in his right quad. He is under observation by the team’s medical staff despite showing no signs of injury.

The PCB spokesperson further confirmed that the right-arm pacer will be available for the remainder of the first Test against England.

It is pertinent to mention that Rauf is among four Pakistan debutants in the Rawalpindi Test against England. Besides him, Zahid Mahmood, Saud Shakeel and Muhammad Ali are playing their first match.

Meanwhile, Pakistan scripted a much-needed fightback as their openers Imam-ul-Haq (90) and Abdullah Shafique (89) stitched an unbeaten 181-run partnership before the stumps on Day 2.

Earlier, in the day, England posted their highest Test total against Pakistan (657) and bettered their previous best of 589-9 at Manchester in 2016.

Meanwhile, on the opening day of the Rawalpindi Test, England batters put on a dominant show and tumbled various records including scoring more than 500 runs on the first day of a Test match – the highest score of the first day.

READ: ‘I tried to give my best,’ Zahid on unwanted record on Test debut 

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s debutant leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood commented on his unwanted record on his Test debut and asserted to have given his best in the ongoing Rawalpindi Test against England.

On a question regarding the legacy of Pakistan leg-spinners like Abdul Qadir and Mushtaq and his dismal Test debut in which he registered the worst bowling figure of four for 235 in 35 overs, Zahid claimed to have given his best on the field.

“Look, we play domestic cricket so that we can play for Pakistan one day. So, from my end, I strived to the fullest and bowled,” said Zahid.

“No doubt they played well but it was my first match and I tried my best,” he added.

The leg-spinner then responded to a question regarding the unresponsive nature of the pitch and emphasized as a professional he is determined to prove himself regardless of the conditions.

“Obviously the wicket is good, there is no doubt about that but regardless of how the pitch is, as a bowler it is our responsibility to prove ourselves and we tried to do the same,” said Zahid.

The debutant then went on to predict the nature of the pitch in the last two days by sharing that it has already started to act better than the first day.

“Definitely, it was different to that on the first day as it was offering something. So, I think, on the fourth or fifth day it would help the spinners,” he concluded.

It is pertinent to mention that England finished their first record-breaking first innings against Pakistan on a mammoth 657 before Pakistan openers Imam-ul-Haq (90) and Abdullah Shafique (89) bolstered the hosts to a fighting start.

The duo put on an unbeaten 181-run partnership before the stumps on Day 2 to cut Pakistan’s deficit to 476 runs.

READ: Imam-ul-Haq completes thousand runs in Test cricket

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan head coach Saqlain Mushtaq commented on England’s baton charge on host bowlers as they amassed a mammoth 506/4 on the first day of the Rawalpindi Test and suggested that the pitch should have been more supportive. 

Saqlain, in a press conference, following a dominant first day by the English team as four of their batters scored centuries before putting up the highest total on the opening day of a Test match, credited them for their brilliance before complaining about the nature of the pitch.

“England played very well today and we could not bowl according to our plan. There was also a problem with the pitch and I think it should have been more supportive. They just outclassed us and we must credit them,” Saqlain said.

On a question regarding Pakistan’s bowling attack and its struggle against aggressive English batters, Saqlain once again emphasized ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi’s absence and asserted these were the best available bowlers.

“Shaheen was injured, all we had were these bowlers and we were relying on them. They are also good, their performance was also good but we just couldn’t bowl as per plan,” said Saqlain.

“Muhammad Ali was performing well in domestic cricket, while Abrar and Zahid were also putting up wonderful performances in the camp. We strive to be fair in the selection of the team.

“Both the players were bowling brilliantly in the camp and were doing what they were supposed to do. We needed a bowler who can bowl in long spells with Haris and Naseem. But credit goes to England who had planned well against us.”

Saqlain then went on to respond to a question regarding the outcome of the ongoing Test and emphasized not to talk about it on the first day.

“No doubt England played well on the first day but we should think much about the future of the Rawalpindi Test. This Test will become interesting in upcoming days. It was their day and they outplayed us,” Saqlain concluded.

It is pertinent to mention that England batters Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook all scored centuries to power their side broke a 112-year-old record as they finished the opening day at 506/4.

READ: President Alvi attends historic Rawalpindi Test to celebrate England return 

RAWALPINDI: The glittering trophy of the historic three-match Test series between Pakistan and England has been finally unveiled, after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that the first Test would take place as per its original schedule. 

“The ECB (England Cricket Board) has informed the PCB that they are in a position to field an XI, and, as such, the first PAKvENG Test will commence as per schedule today (Thursday, 1 December) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium,” tweeted PCB early in the morning.

The ECB has informed the PCB that they are in a position to field an XI, and, as such, the first #PAKvENG Test will commence as per schedule today (Thursday, 1 December) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 1, 2022

The two captains, Ben Stokes and Babar Azam, also looked confident as they posed with the trophy.

Captains unveil the DAFANEWS Presents KFC Pakistan vs England Test Series 2022 trophy 🏆#PAKvENG | #UKSePK pic.twitter.com/BbqFs0Rjf9

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 1, 2022

England opted to bat first after they won the toss since captain Ben Stokes found Pindi Cricket Stadium condition favourable for bat. Liam Livingstone is set to make his Test debut for the team while Ben Duckket marks his return to the red-ball side after six years.

Pakistan, on the other hand, have picked four uncapped players in their playing XI. Haris Rauf, Mohammad Ali, Zahid Mehmood and Saud Shakeel are making their Test debut for the national side.

Uncertainty had hit the commencement of the first Test after several players of the England camp fell ill on Wednesday.

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