Pakistan suffered a 74-run defeat towards England within the first Test of the three-match sequence at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday. Opting to bat first, the Three Lions smashed a whopping complete of 657 runs, through which they created a world report of 500 plus runs on the opening day. In return, Pakistan gave an excellent reply with a complete of 579 runs. However, the Babar Azam-led aspect fell wanting 74 runs whereas chasing the goal of 343 within the fourth innings of the match. Following this loss, Team Pakistan, together with skipper Babar Azam confronted extreme criticism from followers and former cricketers. Babar scored a century within the first innings however was despatched again to the dugout for 4 runs in Pakistan’s second innings.

It was within the sixth over of Pakistan’s chase when Ben Stokes delivered a brief ball to Babar which caught to the inside edge and went straight into the arms of wicketkeeper Ollie Pope. During the post-match press convention, a journalist requested the Pakistan skipper about his dismissal and stated, “Kal aap jiss ball pe out huye the, kya aapko woh samajh nehi aayi thi ya kya mamla tha? Aap jaise bade batsman aur aise ball pe out huye (The ball in which you were dismissed, did you misjudge that ball. I mean, you are such a big batsman and you got out in that kind of a delivery).”

To everybody’s shock, Babar remained calm and composed within the scenario and replied, “Mamla toh kuch hai nehi. Jab aap galat khelenge toh out toh aap honge hi. But mere khayal se jo main expect kar raha tha ki bowl thodasa ayega but woh wicket pe hold kiya jiske wajah se gap ban gayi (When you play the wrong shot, you do get out. The ball held on to the wicket before bouncing and hence led to that gap).”

Babar Azam talks about his dismissal within the 2nd innings of the first Test.#PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/jylnwabFWF

— Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) December 5, 2022

Coming to the match, quick bowlers Ollie Robinson and James Anderson took 4 wickets apiece as England pulled off an thrilling 74-run win over Pakistan. Anderson took 4-36 and Robinson 4-50 on a placid Rawalpindi Stadium pitch to dismiss Pakistan for 268, with the stadium floodlights glowing as daylight pale.

Pakistan’s final pair of Naseem Shah (six) and Mohammad Ali (nought) defied England for 35 minutes and eight.5 overs earlier than spinner Jack Leach trapped Naseem leg-before, leaving England gamers ecstatic.

The win — giving England a 1-0 lead within the three-Test sequence — embellished England’s newly adopted “Bazball” cricket, an aggressive type taken from the nickname of head coach Brendon McCullum.

The second Test is in Multan from December 9 to 13, and the third in Karachi from December 17 to 21.

With AFP Inputs

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