ENG vs PAK: 1st Test – Woakes-Buttler heroics secure a sensational victory
England secured a thrilling three-wicket victory in the first Test against Pakistan at Old Trafford, Manchester. Chris Woakes played the defining knock of 84 not out and struck the winning runs to see the target of 277 being chased down. Jos Buttler had earlier supported him in the game-changing partnership with the wicketkeeper’s contribution being 75 runs. Pakistan did take a few late wickets but it turned out to be too late as Woakes clinched the win with three wickets still in hand. Earlier on the fourth day, Pakistan were all out for 169, leaving England 277 runs to get.
Here’s how the events unfolded on what turned out to be the final day of the first Test.
Yasir Shah increases England’s worries
Pakistan began the fourth day with only two wickets remaining. However, leg spinner Yasir Shah provided great entertainment with his swashbuckling knock. Taking every chance he could, the bowler swung his bat like a sword and collected runs swiftly. His 33 from 24 balls helped Pakistan set a daunting target of 277 runs for England.
Pakistan make early inroads
England’s batting line-up has been prone to crumbling under pressure and this was another stiff test for them. It took Pakistani bowlers 11 overs to make the first breakthrough. Mohammad Abbas found Rory Burns LBW. Dominic Sibley and captain Joe Root added 64 runs for the second wicket. However, both fell in quick succession to allow another opportunity for Pakistan to enter the game. Yasir then sent back England’s talisman Ben Stokes cheaply. Shaheen Shah Afridi produced an unplayable delivery to remove Ollie Pope.
TOO HOT TO HANDLE!?
#ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/TN1xOsecLN— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 8, 2020
Woakes and Buttler thwart Pakistan
After getting rid of the top five, Pakistan must have been fairly confident of running through the rest. And then they collapsed into Buttler and Woakes. The slightly unorthodox batting technique of Woakes and calmness of Buttler worked like a charm against Pakistani bowling attack. They kept eating into the target run by run without allowing a ray of hope for the opposition. Their 139-run partnership took England on the doorstep of a sterling victory.
Late drama
Yasir provided a late twist in the tale as he trapped Buttler in front of the stumps while the batsman attempted a reverse sweep. Stuart Broad walked out with the target still 21 runs away. The left-hander swept Pakistani spinners to add quick runs. Yasir once again kept the contest alive by getting Broad LBW with only four runs remaining to win for England. Woakes eventually squeezed the boundary through the slip cordon to secure a sensational victory for the home side.
Both the teams will now lock horns on 13th August at Southampton in the second Test match of the series.
