Pakistan vs England First Test Archives

Rawalpindi Test: Azhar Ali fit to bat on final day says PCB

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

Ruthless England batters set various records on opening day of Rawalpindi Test

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

PAK v ENG: Livingstone to debut as England name Playing XI for first Test

RAWALPINDI: Uncapped Liam Livingstone will play his debut match of the red-ball format as England announced their playing XI for the opening Test of the historic three-match series against Pakistan, starting tomorrow here at Pindi Cricket Stadium.

Livingstone, 29, will receive his Test cap while Ben Duckett will make his return to England’s Test side after six years. He will replace the opener, Alex Lees, to partner with Zak Crawley at the top order.

Livingstone has been added on the side as an extra spinning option besides his capabilities with the bat as England are set to play their first Test in Pakistan after 17 years.

Veteran James Anderson, who last visited the country back in 2005, will lead the pace attack along with Ollie Robinson and skipper Ben Stokes. Anderson will also be playing his maiden Test on Pakistani home soil.

England Playing XI:

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pop, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Ben Foakes (WK), Liam Livingstone, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, James Anderson

PAK vs ENG: First Test likely to be shifted from Rawalpindi to Karachi – Sources

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering shifting the first Test of the upcoming three-match home series against England to Karachi in light of the ongoing political unrest in Rawalpindi, sources claimed.

According to the details, following the current political situation in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, the PCB is considering amending the venue of the first Test between Pakistan and England, scheduled to commence on December 1.

The consideration came in light of Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf’s (PTI) long march that is likely to reach the capital in the third week of November.

Meanwhile, England’s Test squad is likely to land in Islamabad on November 27 to lock horns with the hosts in the three-match Test series.

Consequently, Karachi is being considered to be the backup venue to host the opening Test, while the city is also scheduled to host the third Test.

Furthermore, according to a PCB official, no decision has been made to alter the schedule; only the change of location is being considered, and even that decision will only be made after consultation with the government and all stakeholders.

“No decision has been taken to change the schedule, Plan B option is definitely under consideration,” a well-placed source in PCB told.

“The decision to alter the venue will be taken after consultation with all stakeholders and the government’s advice. The change in schedule will be announced after the approval of the government authorities.”

READ: Buttler credits Pakistan tour as key part of their journey to T20 WC title