Pakistan take 1-0 lead over England with nine-wicket victory in the first Test

England start home Test summer with a defeat for the first time in 23 years
Pakistan's Mohammad Abbas celebrates taking the wicket of England's Stuart Broad
PA
Will Macpherson27 May 2018

There would be no miracle, then. England’s long, tortuous winter has seeped into summer; with a crushing defeat by Pakistan at Lord’s, they have now won none and lost six of their last eight Test matches. Joe Root, the captain who has presided over that dismal run, ended this game fielding at silly mid-off on his knees. It was symbolic of the state of his side.

It all ended in a hurry. Pakistan’s mesmeric fast bowlers rushed through England’s lower order for the tune of four wickets for seven runs in 25 balls early on the second day to set up a rollicking nine-wicket win. Pakistan were left needing just 64 for victory, and they knocked it off in just 75 balls. James Anderson bowled Azhar Ali, but England needed much more than that.

“Not good enough,” was Root’s snap reflection. He was right. The game last just 10 sessions as England were out-batted, out-bowled and out-fielded by Pakistan. Over the winter they had the mitigation of poor preparation, foreign conditions, the absence of a totemic all-rounder and the fact that, well, lots of teams lose away. They have now lost to Pakistan at Lord’s, in May, with that all-rounder back. Add to that that Pakistan’s top six have fewer caps combined than Alastair Cook, and whose five bowlers have fewer caps combined than James Anderson. This was some humbling.

England were routed in their own conditions but should we really be that surprised? Pakistan prepared better. They played a competitive Test match in tricky conditions against Ireland – who were considerably tougher opposition than England – and enjoyed one decent county warm-up at Northampton. The superb Mohammad Abbas, who finished with four wickets in each innings and now has 40 in seven Tests at 16, came to play for Leicestershire. His name did not eventually make it onto the honours board, but he was man of the match.

Joe Root of England looks on during day four of the 1st Test Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

England, meanwhile, had two players straight off the plane from the IPL, another with just one first-class game under his belt, and a host more with just two. Perhaps they will rethink their policy on preparation, at home as well as away. It will be interesting to see what follows in the coming weeks; wider policy decisions might be tricky for Andy Flower, standing in for Andrew Strauss for the summer, to make.

England cannot play the spinning ball in Asia, the bouncing ball in Australia and, now, the swinging ball in New Zealand or England. The Mohammads, Abbas and Amir, as well as Hasan Ali were exquisite in this game. They did not fear being driven, and made full use of Root’s decision to bat upon winning the toss – one based on sound reasoning.

Pakistan celebrate their nine-wicket victory over England Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

There was more of the same on the final morning. Abbas and Amir took a wicket in each of their first two overs to end the resistance of Jos Buttler and Dom Bess. The new ball was due, but they did not need it. Buttler was trapped lbw by Abbas, who had Stuart Broad caught behind for a pair in his next over. Amir nicked off Mark Wood, then castled Bess.

And so to Headingley. England cannot win this two-match series, which makes it a disappointment with half the series left. Root, Trevor Bayliss and Ed Smith, the new national selector have decisions to make. This week, their twists – Buttler and Bess – worked to a point, while their sticks – Marks Stoneman and Wood – did not. Their places, as well as Dawid Malan (who averages 23 since his breakthrough century five Tests ago), are in the spotlight immediately. Do they make changes now? Or before the series against India in August? Quite a week awaits.

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