Tag Eng-Pak-2012

Lowest total defended in test cricket is 85 that England failed to achieve against Australia back in 1882, falling 8 runs short but that was an utterly low scoring game with both teams bowled out for less than a hundred once each. At Abu Dhabi today, England failed to reach 145, bowled out for 72 against Pakistani spinners on a pitch that had very few demons. English batsmen, for the second time on the series, refused to stand upto the competition after bowlers had set up the match and conceded inevitable 0-2 lead to Pakistan win just one more test to go..

Fact : 142 is now 17th lowest total successfully defended in test cricket ever.

The scores

Pakistan 257 allout & 214 allout.
England 327 allout & 72 in 36.1 ovs.
Full scorecard : 2nd test, January 2012.

Electing to bat first, almost all Pakistan batsmen got a start but Stuart Broad and early introduction of Monty Panesar managed to break every partnership. On a slowish Sheikh Zayed stadium pitch, captain Mishah-ul-haq played a responsible innings, blocking most of the times and then lofting 4 sixes in his innings. Misbah had carried Pakistan at moderate situation through to close of play on day 1 but next morning England bowlers struck back admirably and it was now time for their batsmen to consume as much lead as they could.

Captain Andrew Strauss' poor form continued but Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott added century stand for second wicket to set up the platform. Three quick wickets in last hour of play brought Pakistan back into the match but visitors still had the upper hand. On day 3, Stuart Broad provided the surprize package, counter attacking to a half century which stretched lead to considerable 70 runs. Broad was given good support by tailenders and he remained unbeaten.

Pakistani second innings had a rocky begining, failing to adjust to emmaculate line and length of Monty Panesar. taking his career best figures of 6 for 62, Panesar had Pakistan on the ropes but young pair of Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq added valuable century stand on either side of third day to keep their team afloat. Green caps batted out almost hundred of overs but collected just 214 runs which meant England needed 145 runs to square the series.

21 runs from first 15 overs against the new ball when scoring was at it's easiest, England batsmen allowed home team to create pressure on them and once wickets started to fall, there was nothing to stop the bleeding. Abdur Rehman, the left arm spinner who's been second fiddle to Saeed Ajmal for last year or so, spun the ball prodigiously and his perfect length foxed Englishmen, taking his career best 6 for 25.

As many as 30 batsmen were out bowled or lbw in this test match = a record!