Pakistan spinners show England’s fallibility and fatalism with the bat
Perhaps for the first time under Brendon McCullum, belief slightly drained away during moonshot run chase in Multan
It was a pretty good week for fans outside of cricket’s so-called Big Three. In Dubai, West Indies sent England tumbling out of the Women’s T20 World Cup, then South Africa produced a remarkable demolition job on Australia and now meet New Zealand in Sunday’s final. In Bangalore, New Zealand’s men rolled India for a marmalade-dropping 46 all out, their lowest total in a home Test.
And in Multan, on a pitch refurbished in between Tests with the use of giant fans at either end, Pakistan secured a restorative victory over England - their first in 12 matches at home to set up a tantalising series decider in Rawalpindi next week.
All it took was dropping three poster boys, recalling two wily old spinners in Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, and Shan Masood winning the toss on this surface of diminishing returns. It was a gamble, no question, but still required a telling performance thereafter; the kind that offered the latest reminder of Pakistan’s ability to lurch from maelstrom to magnificent in the blink of an eye.
Continue reading...Date: | |
Tag: | Pakistan |
Topics
-
World - The Guardian
Pakistan spinners humble England for first win in seven Tests to level series
Pakistan 366 and 221; England 291 and 144 Stokes and Carse go down swinging in 152-run defeat England’s already remote chance of turning the second Test their way evaporated on a steamy Friday ...2 days ago - Pakistan -
Top stories - BBC News
Pakistan pitch plan a compliment to England
England should be flattered by Pakistan's pitch plan, but the second Test wasn't only decided at the toss, says Stephan Shemilt.2 days ago - Pakistan -
Top stories - BBC News
CCTV shows moments leading up to fatal stabbings
The teenagers were killed in a case of mistaken identity, the court has been told.5 days ago -
Top stories - BBC News
England spun to defeat in second Pakistan Test
England are spun out by Pakistan to lose the second Test by 152 runs, setting up a series decider in Rawalpindi next week.2 days ago - Pakistan -
World - The Guardian
‘No complaints’: England’s McCullum unfazed by Pakistan’s pitch tactic
Hosts opted to re-use pitch in Multan after first Test loss PCB wants turning surface for Rawalpindi decider Brendon McCullum may believe that only Superman could have saved England from defeat ...Yesterday -
World - The Guardian
England confidence in stark contrast to turmoil of Pakistan for second Test | Simon Burnton
Opprobrium swirls around ever-changing host side but England hope to ride Multan momentum to series win. An already extraordinary Test series continues to surprise, even when no cricket is being ...6 days ago -
World - The Guardian
Pakistan roll the dice and gamble on spin trio for second Test with England
Hosts drop regulars and bring in veteran spinners in the hope the Multan pitch used last week will turn this time . “There is no change in the approach,” insisted Azhar Mahmood, Pakistan’s ...5 days ago - Pakistan -
World - The Guardian
Pakistan v England: second men’s cricket Test, day one – live
Over-by-over updates from Multan Cricket Stadium Get in touch! Email your thoughts to Taha 1st over: Pakistan 1-0 (Shafique 1, Saim 0) With Woakes and Atkinson rested, Matthew Potts takes ...5 days ago - Pakistan
More from The Guardian
-
World - The Guardian
Middle East crisis live: UN says ‘nightmare in Gaza intensifying’ after 87 people reported killed or missing in Israeli strikes in north
UN special coordinator says ‘relentless’ Israeli strikes mean nowhere is safe for civilians after attack on Beit Lahiya . At least 42,603 Palestinian people have been killed and 99,795 injured in ...9 minutes ago - Israel -
World - The Guardian
Elon Musk promises to award $1m every day to voters as he steps up campaigning for Trump
The billionaire’s Trump-supporting Pac will give the money to those who sign a petition that encourages Republicans to register to vote. Elon Musk said his Trump-supporting political action ...7 hours ago - Elon Musk -
World - The Guardian
King Charles makes relaxed start to Australian tour but spends less than 10 minutes at lunch in his honour
After a day of rest, monarch appears at Sydney lunch in his honour and gives hosts an hourglass while joking about swift passage of time. King Charles III did not linger long at the luncheon put ...5 hours ago - United Kingdom -
World - The Guardian
Tributes pour in for Chris Hoy after terminal cancer diagnosis
Olympic cycling champion says doctors have told him he has two to four years to live. Tributes have poured in for the Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy after he revealed he had received a ...1 hour ago -
World - The Guardian
Don’t let under-18s join pop bands, says leading songwriter after Liam Payne’s death
Guy Chambers among industry figures calling for changes in wake of former One Direction star’s tragic death. Under-18s should not be pushed into pop stardom, one of the UK’s leading songwriters has ...7 hours ago