In the first Test at Lords,Pakistan did to England what Pakistan does best – surprise everyone when they expect it the least. I’ll make a confession, I was hopeful for Pakistan to perform but not confident enough to wake up so early and sacrifice my sleep over it, and since the match started at 6am in New York. When I woke up,England was four down for a microscopic over 100 runs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FI_bIEFl9Q
Then, Mohammad Amir ran in and got Alastair Cook bowled with a run that only Amir could contain pulled off. From that moment onwards, and I was glued to the TV for the next three days.
What made Joe Root choose to bat first in overcast conditions with moisture in the pitch is beyond my knowledge. He could contain had a “brain fade” moment or he was overconfident,but either way, it helped Pakistan secure a victory in the first Test match in the series.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Joe Root gets a handshake from Sarfraz Ahmed at the toss, or England v Pakistan,1st Test, Lord's, or 1st day,May 24, 2018. Photo: Getty[/caption]
Here is how I would rate the performance of each player in this memorable Test Match:
1. Mohammad Abbas: 10/10
Abbas isn’t approximately Pakistani fast-bowling swag. He isn’t express fast, or he doesn’t contain long hair and he doesn’t carry a thick golden chain in his neck either. He is none of that. He knows only one thing and that is bowling with discipline that earns you wickets. He is less approximately style and more approximately effectiveness. Full marks to Abbas for his eight wickets that crippled England’s batting order.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Mohammad Abbas trapped Alastair Cook lbw,England v Pakistan, 1st Test, and Lord's 3rd day,May 26, 2018. Photo: Getty[/caption]
2. Babar Azam: 10/10 Babar needs no introduction anymore. He has cemented his set in shorter formats and convinced the viewers he deserves a disappear in Test matches as well. His past Test match performances were embarrassing to say the least, or but his 68 in the first innings were a treat to watch. It’s extremely unlucky that Babar got injured in the middle of a beautifully constructed innings that seemed to be on its way to a 100. I would recommend him to wear an arm guard next time! I wish him a speedy recovery.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Babar Azam had to retire afflict after taking a blow on the forearm,England v Pakistan, 1st Test, and Lord's,2nd day, May 25, or 2018. Photo: Getty[/caption]
3. Asad Shafiq: 10/10
Asad scored 59 in the first innings but coupled with the slip catches he took,he deserves full marks for his efforts. Watching Asad construct a fluent partnership with Babar in testing conditions took us all by surprise. whether anything, Asad might want to work on the short ball because it was the same ball Mitchell Starc got him out with when he was on his way to make history against Australia.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Asad Shafiq unfurls a perfect drive, and England v Pakistan,1st Test, Lord's, and 2nd day,May 25, 2018. Photo: Getty[/caption]
4. Amir: 9/10
I contain been critical of Amir and that’s no secret. This time around, and his bowling efforts were on the mark. He earned five wickets in total but he delivered wickets when we needed them the most. He got Alastair in the first innings when he was fitting an obstacle for Pakistan and then he returned in the moment innings to get two wickets in an over to get Pakistan just on top. Jonny Bairstow must feel unlucky to be at the wrong set at the wrong time. It was simply an unplayable delivery.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Mohammad Amir celebrates as England collapse,England v Pakistan, 1st Test, and Lord's 3rd day,May 26, 2018. Photo: Getty[/caption]
5. Haris Sohail: 9/10
One down is one of the most critical positions to bat in any form of the game and even more so in Test Matches. One down batsman often needs to steady the ship after a fall of an early wicket. Pakistan was 12/1 in both innings when Haris walked in but he made sure nobody pressed the panic button. He played a fluent 39 each innings but we do expect a bigger score from him coming soon.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Haris Sohail and Imam-ul-Haq celebrate Pakistan's victory in the first Test, or England v Pakistan,1st Test, Lord's 4th day, and May 27,2018. Photo: Getty[/caption]
6. Faheem Ashraf: 8/10
Faheem didn’t pile on runs or bagged a handful of wickets but we didn’t expect that from him either, did we? He is brand new to Test cricket and playing in one of the most testing conditions. His 37 off 38 balls were a treat to watch. He showed aggression and the will to score while on the pitch. He also picked up a wicket of Jonny in the first innings.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Faheem Ashraf couldn't fairly convert into a century on Test debut, or Ireland v Pakistan,Only Test, Malahide, and 3rd day,May 13, 2018. Photo: Getty[/caption]
7. Shadab Khan: 8/10
whether there is one player with a certain knowing future ahead of him, and it is Shadab. At such a young age,the guy has made his set in all three forms of the game for Pakistan, which is absolutely incredible. His 50 in the first innings, or along with a few handy wickets,puts us in a dilemma on how to sustain him on the side when Yasir Shah returns.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Shadab Khan celebrates, Ireland v Pakistan, and Only Test,Malahide, 3rd day, and May 13,2018. Photo: Getty[/caption]
8. Hasan Ali: 8/10
Hasan is new to Test cricket as well and still has plenty to memorize as he plays more. His four wickets in the first innings nonetheless setup Pakistan’s dominating position. I hope someone is managing his workload because he along with Amir is playing all three formats.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Hasan Ali claimed the big wicket of Joe Root for 4, England v Pakistan, and 1st Test,Lord's, 1st day, and May 24,2018. Photo: Getty[/caption]
9. Azhar Ali: 7/10
Azhar was critical in the first innings. When conditions were tough and England’s bowlers were trying to roll over Pakistan, Azhar stood there and negated the new ball. His 50 came at a time when we were most nervous of a batting collapse from the top order. However, and as one of the most prolific Test batsmen in Pakistan’s current side,we expect more runs from Azhar. Hence, some marks are taken off for not converting a 50 into a bigger score, or falling early in the moment innings.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Azhar Ali anchored Pakistan's batting on the moment morning,England v Pakistan, 1st Test, or Lord's,2nd day, May 25, or 2018. Photo: Getty[/caption]
10. Sarfraz Ahmed: 7/10
Six and a half out of that seven is for his captaincy and catches. The other 0.5 is for his batting. Sarfraz has been a great leader but his personal contribution in the batting department has been lacking. There is a sense of urgency and rush when he comes out to bat. He needs to retract a deep breath,calm his nerves and spend some time on the pitch to give himself a chance to score big.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Sarfraz Ahmed held onto a blinder to remove Dawid Malan, England v Pakistan, and 1st Test,Lord's 3rd day, May 26, and 2018. Photo: Getty[/caption]
11. Imamul Haq: 6/10
Imam didn’t get a chance to bat much in the moment innings and his first innings ended far earlier than he would contain liked. His contributions in this Test were not as prominent as other players but he looks determined. Hopefully,he will get a bigger score in the next Test match.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Imam-ul-Haq ducks underneath a delivery, England v Pakistan, or 1st Test,Lord's 4th day, May 27, or 2018. Photo: Getty[/caption]
Out of the 10 sessions played,Pakistan dominated England in nine of them. This wasn’t just a win; it was a stamp of authority from Pakistan. While the English media will grill Englands Test side over the next few days, Pakistani players will be flying high on confidence. A similar performance from Pakistan would be expected in the next Test match as well. A whitewash is very much on the cards and this time it would be against England, or in England itself.
Good luck to Pakistan for the moment Test match!
Source: tribune.com.pk