1st Test: Gul-dozed, Aj-mauled, simply blasted

England lost their first Test match since 2010 courtesy Ajmal’s superb show as the off-spinner picked up his second 10-wicket haulz. PHOTO: AFP

Fast-bowler Umar Gul, spinners Abdur Rehman and Saeed Ajmal were among the wickets as the tourists crumbled to 160 in their second-innings, leaving Pakistan just 15 to win at the Dubai Cricket Stadium.

“We didn’t expect it to be so easy for us,” said a delighted Misbah as Pakistan gained a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. “Ajmal put us on the path to victory. Rehman and Mohammad Hafeez are contributing as well. It was a team effort as the conditions are not the easiest for batting here.

“After the 2010 series, the players wanted to improve. I’d also like to congratulate the curator for this wicket.”

Strauss promises fightback

Meanwhile, England captain Andrew Strauss was a disappointed man but vowed a fightback.

“Obviously it’s disappointing to lose in this manner,” said Strauss. “We lost five early wickets and it’s disappointing to bat like this but we are not going to press the panic button and will show resilience in the second match.

“But credit to Pakistan. Restricting them to 338 was good enough for us but they were very solid.”

Gul dismissed Strauss (six) before lunch and then accounted for Alastair Cook (five) and Kevin Pietersen (nought) in his hostile nine-over first spell on a spin-friendly pitch. Rehman (three for 37) and Saeed Ajmal (three for 42) – his second 10-wicket haul in Tests – supplemented Gul to help Pakistan bundle out England, who trailed by 146 in the second-innings.

Pakistan reached the required 15-run target in 3.4 overs to hand England their first defeat in 10 Tests – their last was when they lost to Australia in the 2010 Ashes.

England’s batsmen, wrecked by Ajmal’s career-best seven for 55 in their first-innings of 192, were again clueless against the spin and played some rash shots as they sought to score runs on the pace of Gul. Earlier, Adnan had boosted Pakistan’s lead with a gutsy second Test half-century. Adnan scored a career-best 61, adding another 50 runs after Pakistan resumed at 288 for seven.

Ajmal looking ahead

Ajmal, who was adjudged man of the match, was looking forward for a repeat show in the second Test.

“It is a very happy day for me,” he said. “I did not get any turn on the first day though but I am looking forward to the next match. Hopefully, I will try the teesra in that game.”

Ramiz Raja

“Pakistan are playing like a well-oiled unit and every player appears to be aware of his role. Misbah has led the side well. They now play the game at their own pace and wait for the opponents to wilt under pressure.”

A slideshow of pictures from the match can be viewed here.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2012.