England survive late drama to beat Pakistan in 1st Test

England survive late drama to beat Pakistan in 1st Test

By Web Desk
August 08, 2020
Jos Buttler in action. Photo: England Cricket/Twitter

Chasing 277, England needed 21 runs with five wickets in hand on day 4 of the first Test at Old Trafford when leg-spinner Yasir Shah removed Jos Buttler (75) and Chris Broad but it proved too little too late as Chris Woakes (84 not out) made sure the tourists got home.

After England started the run chase, the breakthrough for Pakistan did not come early as Mohammad Abbas had to wait until the 12th over to trap Rory Burns lbw at the score of 22.

Dom Sibley and Joe Root, however, batted cautiously to take England to 55-1 at lunch.

The elusive second wicket finally came when Sibley (36) found a Yasir Shah leg-spinner way too tempting and ended up edging it into the hands of Asad Shafiq in the slip.

Root followed him back in the pavilion minutes later off the bowling of Naseem Shah as the visitors found a way back into the game.

The fourth wicket was a big one as Yasir Shah removed Ben Stokes with the slightest of edges back to the keeper that was spotted via a review.

Just when it seem Pakistan had the upper hand, England found a valuable partnership between Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes. 

The duo combined for a valuable 139-run partnership that practically took the game away from the tourists. By the time Yasir trapped Buttler lbw he had piled up 75 runs and England needed 21 for victory.

Earlier, eight-down Pakistan resumed their second innings. Their lead surpassed the 250-run mark, with Yasir Shah leading the charge.

 However, he was tried to hit one too many, nicking one back to the keeper and leaving the visitors nine down.

Number 11 batsman Naseem Shah did not last long as Pakistan were bundled out for 169, setting a target of 277 for England.

Yasir top-scored for Pakistan in their second innings with 33.

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