Tag: England vs Pakistan

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’s left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq completed 1,000 runs in Test cricket amid the ongoing first Test against England at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Imam, who was just 27 runs away from the milestone, cut behind the first delivery of the 18th over by Will Jacks to complete the 1000-run landmark in his 17th Test.

Besides the recently-achieved landmark, Imam has two Test centuries and four fifties to his name in 16 matches with the highest score of 157.

.@ImamUlHaq12 completes 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ Test runs ✅#PAKvENG | #UKSePK pic.twitter.com/rJoKGccywA

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 2, 2022

The left-handed batter then went on to score unbeaten 90 runs and stitched a match-saving 181-run partnership with his partner Abdullah Shafique, who scored 89 not out 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: Pakistan solid after England’s record total as openers dominate Day 2

RAWALPINDI: Leg spinner Zahid Mahmood produced the most expensive debut bowling performance in the history of Test cricket during the ongoing first Test between Pakistan and England, here at Pindi Cricket Stadium.

Mahmood, who has so far conceded 227 runs from 31 runs while bagging two wickets, when visitors are still not finished with their first innings, has relieved the burden from England’s Adil Rashid for holding Test cricket’s most unflattering figures on debut.

Rashid’s unimpressive figures of nought for 163 from 34 overs in the first innings of the Abu Dhabi Test against Pakistan in 2015 was the most unwanted start of a Test career before Mahmood took this dubious record from him.

The match eventually ended in a draw as Rashid earned his honour back in the second innings when he took a five-wicket haul while offering just 64 runs from 18.5 overs.

Mahmood can also hope for a majestic comeback in the later innings as England currently looks solid on the second day of the Rawalpindi Test as they have scored 646/8 so far in the first innings.

READ: Japan stun Spain but both reach Round of 16 as Germany crash out

RAWALPINDI: Various records were set as England batters baton-charged Pakistan on the opening day of the Rawalpindi Test as they raised a record 506/4 before stumps, here on Thursday.

English openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, who laid a solid foundation for an incredibly dominant first day over host Pakistan, put on a massive 233 runs partnership as both scored centuries.

The duo took on Pakistan bowlers amid their stand and set various records with their quickfire opening stand.

Crawley, who was going through a rough patch since scoring his career-best 267 against Pakistan in August 2020, regained his form as he scored his third century overall. His 86-ball hundred was the fastest by an English opener in Test cricket.

Meanwhile, the 233-run opening stand between Crawley and Duckett marked the fastest double century by any pair in Test cricket as the duo conceded just 183 balls to register themselves in the record book.

Earlier, the duo of Crawley and Duckett powered England to a flying start as they gathered 174 runs in the first session – the highest score in an opening session of a Test match.

For the first time in England’s Test history, both openers have scored a fifty off as many balls or less (Crawley 38 balls and Duckett 50 balls). England scored 14 runs in the first over of the match – the highest they scored in a Test match.

Following the openers’ magic, it was Harry Brook who lit up the Pindi Cricket Stadium with a quickfire century on just 80 balls, the third fastest for England in Test cricket.

Moreover, for the first time in Test cricket history, four batters amassed centuries on the first day of the match for the first time as Ollie Pope, Crawley, Duckett and Brook all scored tons.

Their centuries powered England to raise a mammoth 506/4 on an opening day despite bad light reducing the day’s play to 75 overs. England, however, managed to pose enough runs to break a 112-year-old record of the most runs on the first day of the match. They also became the first team to cross the 500-run mark on an opening day.

READ: ‘Pitch should’ve been more supportive,’ Saqlain on England carnage 

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: Former England Test skipper Joe Root ruled out the possibility of his teammates becoming ill as a result of food poisoning ahead of the first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi on December 1. 

On Tuesday, some of the England players including captain Ben Stokes, reportedly, have fallen ill and were told to restrict their movement to limit the risk of spreading the virus. An ECB spokesperson, however, confirmed that the illnesses were not Covid-19 related, with players experiencing vomiting and diarrhoea.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday at Pindi Cricket Stadium after the team’s final training session before the first Test, Root insisted that there was nothing to be blamed on their team chef as the players’ illness was not related to the food.

“It is unfortunate we are in this situation, but we don’t think it is food-related,” he said. “I don’t think there is any correlation between the two and in fact the chef is ill as well, so I don’t think it is the food.”

England’s team brought their own chef, Omar Meziane, in order to take care of the players’ diet during the historic Test tour of Pakistan.

“The thing is we have been carrying a chef away for a couple of years. If you look at the international teams, especially England, they all have their own chefs. We optimise ourselves and we see it from a nutrition point of view as well,” he said, responding to the reporter’s question.

Moreover, Root denied any possibility of picking up corona virus, claiming that he also felt ill but recovered within a day.

“As far as I’m aware there are a few guys not feeling 100 per cent but – I didn’t feel great yesterday but I woke up better today – so hopefully it’s just a 24-hour virus and I don’t think it’s food poisoning or Covid or anything like that,” he added.

When asked about the player’s readiness for tomorrow’s match, Root said: “It’s hard to say, I’ve not seen anyone this morning, we’ve literally got straight on the bus so the guys will do everything we can to be right in that aspect, so time will tell really.”

“We’ve prepared really well for this game and sometimes life throws things at you but we’ll do everything we can to be right tomorrow and be right and ready to go,” he added.

Pakistan Cricket Board, however, confirmed in a tweet that discussions were underway between the ECB and PCB regarding the commencement of the first Test after some England players reported viral infection.

England and Pakistan will contest a three-match Test series with the second scheduled in Multan beginning on December 9 and the final game in Karachi from December 17-21.

READ: Babar hopeful to compete against ‘full strength’ English side in first Test

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan captain Babar Azam expressed his hope of competing against a full-strength English side despite several players of the touring party being struck down by illness on Wednesday.

Babar, in a scheduled press conference ahead of the historic Rawalpindi Test, commented on the unfortunate viral spread in the opposition camp, while also hopeful of competing against a complete English side.

“We’ve finalized our plan after the English lineup was unveiled and we will bring our action plan tomorrow. They are tough opposition and play aggressively but we are still hopeful they play with full strength,” said Babar.

“We have been practising for the last week and are well-prepared for the series. The way Naseem Shah and Muhammad Ali are bowling, I am confident my bowlers will make us win,” he added.

The playing conditions and pitches were the most-talked elements of the game amid Australia’s historic tour of Pakistan in April this year, while Babar came up with an assertion this time that the conditions would be favourable for both teams.

“Whenever you play in home conditions, you try to make pitches as per your suitability. However, I think the conditions are still favourable for both teams. The weather conditions are better, fast bowlers and spinners will get a lot of help,” said Babar.

Babar then went on to comment on Pakistan’s chances to make it to the final of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) and shared the team has the potential to make it.

“We will be trying to win at least four of our last five matches so that we can qualify for the final of the World Test Championship,” he concluded.

READ: PAK vs ENG: Trophy unveiling postponed as virus hits English camp