ENG v PAK, 4th Test Review: Pakistan claim win; square series

Pakistan claimed an impressive win in the final ENG v PAK Test at The Oval as they went on to square the series 2-2. Having claimed a win in the first Test at Lord’s, Misbah-ul-Haq and his band of merry men seemingly fell off the wagon as they suffered consecutive losses at Old Trafford and Edgbaston. Moreover, the fact that the final Day of the final Test was perhaps the consummation of the victory over their hosts Egland.

The Test match began on perhaps one of the brightest and sunniest mornings ever to be seen in London. Although it was a glorious morning, the glory was shattered for the hosts when they got off to yet another bad start in the series. The Pakistan pacers were in their element when Alex Hales was undone yet again by an impressive piece of bowling from Mohammad Amir.

Enter Pakistan’s ‘Big Bad Wolf’. Up till this point in the series, Wahab Riaz had been somewhat subdued. However, this was about to change soon when Wahab made a step towards claiming the greatness he has been destined for in a long while. He ran riot by removing Joe Root, Jams Vince, and Garry Ballance.

Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali made a statement for England when they smashed 55 and 108 respectively. Moeen Ali in particular, was an important piece of the England batting unit as his ton ensured that England crossed the psychological score of 300 in the first innings. However, despite all of this as well as a Chris Woakes 45, England has been bowled out for the second time this series on the first day for 328. England pegged back in the closing stages of the first day when Sami Aslam fell on the final few deliveries of the day.

While England left the field believing that they had a fighting chance, Day 2 certainly went on to snuff it out completely. Azhar Ali set the visitors up with a well-made 49, but, the thunder was well and truly stolen by Asad Shafiq and Younis Khan. They went about rebuilding the innings as they went on to stitch a very important 150-run partnership. However, the fact of the matter remained as Asad Shafiq went on to score a very important century. For perhaps the first time in the entire series, they Pakistani batsmen went on to show some maturity.

Day 4 was all about Younis Khan. The 38-year old veteran for Pakistan ensured that he did indeed fit the bill for Pakistan as he smashed a magnificent 218, the first double century for the visitors in the series thus far. What was more impressive was the fact that he was well-supported by the tail. Wicket-keeper batsman Sarfraz Ahmed (44) and Mohammad Amir (39) impressed one and all with some splendid batting as they concluded their innings shortly before the tea session for 542.

Alastair Cook and England were sent into a crisis when they were blasted out by the fiery Pakistan bowlers. Earlier, there was some concern that the fire and drive of Wahab Riaz was only a short fuse. But, the reality of sitting in the dressing room was the fact that a fresh bowling attack came out to bowl.

Needless to say, they were all over the Brits in the final session of Day 4. They also had an unlikely star in the form of Yasir Shah, who came back to pick three wickets at the end of the day’s play, leaving England in a precarious position of 88/4.

Also read – Junaid Khan should not feel disheartened and continue the hard-work: Inzamam-ul-Haq

In spite of their work being cut out on the final day’s play, the Brits were dealt with setback after setback. Only Jonny Bairstow was able to make an impact for them with a wonderfully compiled 81. Yasir Shah claimed 5 wickets as the home side was blown away for a paltry 236, setting a target of 40 runs for Pakistan, a total which they reached shortly after the tea break. Azhar Ali brough it up with a wonderful six, a perfect ending for the series.

Watch: The winning SIX from Azhar Ali:

Final moments
Look at the Azhar Ali celebration#Pakistan win by 10 wkts#ProudPakistani#Pakistanzindabad#EngvPak pic.twitter.com/zWM0djlIKY

— Farooq Afridi (@FaryAfridi) August 14, 2016

Watch: Pakistan team celebrating the victory:

A victory lap of honour for the Pakistan Test team, appreciated by both England & Pakistan fans #ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/cPwuNrtvbC

— Razia Desai (@raziiia) August 14, 2016

Outstanding victory for Pakistan, superb comeback after 2 drubbings. One all rounder short of being top team pic.twitter.com/FgWONv0x7p

— simon hughes (@theanalyst) August 14, 2016

Brief Scores

England, 1st innings: 328 all out

Pakistan, 2nd innings: 542 all out

England, 2nd innings: 253 all out (J Bairstow 81; Yasir 5/71)

Pakistan, 2nd innings: 42/0 (Azhar Ali – 30*)