Attack mode: Pakistan are favourites to beat England thanks to Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan
(Picture: AP)A morning of two halves occurred in Rawalpindi as Pakistan initially showed no interest in pursuing victory before launching an assault on England’s spinners that placed them ahead of the game for the first time. The session finished with Pakistan requiring 174 for victory and England needing a further seven wickets.
The day began with good news for the hosts as Azhar Ali, who had been forced to retire hurt late last night after taking a blow to the hand, was announced as fit to bat on the final day of the first Test.
The match was tantalisingly poised after England’s bold declaration had led to a fifth day with all results possible on a bland pitch that in normal circumstances would have all but guaranteed a draw.
But, with Pakistan needing 263 for victory, they would score just 13 runs in the opening 13 overs as they dropped anchor against England’s seamers.
A pair of boundaries came in the first two overs but after that 18 dot balls in a row would lead to England’s first major breakthrough of the day as Imam-ul-Haq would be strangled down the legside off the bowling of James Anderson for 48. A massive wicket for England, as Imam has scored centuries in all three of his previous innings at this ground.
Surprisingly, that wicket did not bring Azhar Ali back to the crease as was expected, with Mohammad Rizwan coming to the middle instead. He and debutant Saud Shakeel continued to block Anderson and Ollie Robinson with little sign that anything was about to change.
But, the introduction of Will Jacks to the attack would see Pakistan flip a switch as they took the rookie spinner, who took six wickets in the first innings, for 11 from his first over.
Pakistan’s tactics soon seemed to become clear. Bowl seam at us and we’ll shut up shop and take the draw. Bowl spin and we’ll whack it and go for the win. It placed England in a strange predicament where in order to force a win they would have to do as their opponents wished.
Shakeel, who resumed overnight on 24, brought up a fine half-century off 104 deliveries as his excellent debut with the bat continued, having made a competent 37 in the first innings.
46 runs came in the nine overs of spin that followed with all of Jack Leach, Joe Root and Jacks being sent to the boundary with regularity. Pakistan, and Rizwan in particular, taking a liking to Jacks who went at over six an over as the right-hander charged him and targeted the midwicket area before launching a straight six.
Leach also got the treatment by Rizwan, as he hit the second six of his innings off the left-arm spinner. Rizwan would go to lunch on 42 not out.
Rizwan and Shakeel would take their side to the break needing 174 to win and Pakistan, for the first time, were genuine favourites in the match. England had said plainly last night that they were prepared to lose in order to win. And that may just happen.
