Rawalpindi: England have beaten Pakistan by 74 runs in the opening Test match in Rawalpindi in fading light to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, a win attributed greatly to the fast bowling of Ollie Robinson and James Anderson, who each claimed four wickets.
On a flat Rawalpindi Stadium field, Anderson took 4-36 and Robinson 4-50 to dismiss Pakistan for 268 as the daylight grew dimmer. Chasing the target runs for 35 min and 8.5 overs, Pakistan’s closing pair of Naseem Shah (six) and Mohammad Ali (nought) were caught leg-before by spinner Jack Leach, much to the delight of England team.
Earlier, England’s aggressive batting line-up amassed 657 in their first innings and declared their second on 7-264, setting Pakistan an improbable victory target of 343 on a docile track.
The victory marks England’s seventh in eight Test matches since McCullum and Stokes were appointed as the team’s new managers in May of this year.
