PAK vs ENG: 'England were bashing it around like a T20 match,' David Lloyd reacts on day 1

The visitors reached reach 506-4 in 75 overs on day one of first Test

By Web Desk
December 01, 2022
Four England batters scored centuries each —ESPNcricinfo 

Former England cricketer David 'Bumble' Lloyd said the English team were crushing Pakistan bowlers like it was a T20 match during the opening day of the first Test at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

Four England batters scored century each to help the visitors reach 506-4 in 75 overs against a clueless Pakistan bowling side.

Meanwhile, the former commentator lauded the English team's stroke play.

"There are two Tests going on with England playing in Pakistan for the first time in 17 years where the Rawalpindi Stadium was no more than half full for the first day. And Perth is nearly empty for Australia and West Indies. Look at the scores. Australia got almost 600 for four and England were bashing it around like a T20 match. Yes there was some fantastic stroke play but the public won't watch if it's not a proper contest between bat and ball," Llyod wrote in his column for the Daily Mail.

Llyod also emphasised that the flat surface in Pindi didn’t do justice to the bowlers.

"It just seems so unfair to bowlers on these pitches. And it hasn't always been this way. I can remember some good, entertaining surfaces in Pakistan. So let’s be careful with Test match cricket when it’s under such scrutiny and pressure. The crowds were there in Pakistan for the T20 matches against England earlier this year but will they be for the Tests?" he questioned.

Earlier, former England skipper Nasser Hussain bashed the pitch, calling it ‘an absolute road’.

The touring party hammered Pakistan's bowling on a flat surface, breaking Australia's previous mark of 494 runs against South Africa in 1910 for runs scored on the first day of a Test.

However, despite opener Ben Duckett's century, Lloyd was not quite impressed with the left-handed batter as an opening batter.

"I must confess I didn’t see Ben Duckett coming as a Test opener. I still don’t! But all credit to him for helping himself to a century. Joe Root will be devastated to miss out," he added.

Harry Brook (101*) and skipper Ben Stokes (34*) will resume play for the visitors on day two of the opening Test.

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