Sports

England lead test series 2-0

England defeated Pakistan by nine wickets, leading the test series 2-0, on Monday.

Afp August 09, 2010

BIRMINGHAM: England defeated Pakistan by nine wickets, leading the test series 2-0, on Monday.

Andrew Strauss and Jonathan both scored 50 each, to guide England to their second win over Pakistan.

England needed to reach a victory target of 118, in their second innings on the fourth day.

England had made just seven when struggling opener Alastair Cook was clean bowled by Mohammad Aamer after a full length delivery kept low. Left-hander Cook has now failed to reach 30 in his last seven Test innings.

Pakistan introduced Saeed Ajmal into the attack as early as the eighth over, having seen opposing off-spinner Graeme Swann take a Test-best six wickets for 65 runs in their second innings.

Ajmal, recalled in place of axed leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, had taken a Test-best five for 82 in England's first innings.

And with his only his third ball he induced an edge from left-handed opener Strauss, playing a forcing shot.

But debutant wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider could not hold the tough chance with England on 17 for one.

Pakistan, who resumed on 291 for nine, were bowled out for 296.

Their second innings lasted for just 11 more balls on Monday, with Asif (14) caught in the gully by Kevin Pietersen off Stuart Broad.

Umar Gul, batting with a runner, was 13 not out. But Gul's hamstring injury meant the fast bowler did not take the field for England's second innings.

Pakistan have only once successfully defended a target of under 150 in a Test match.

They dismissed New Zealand, chasing 127, out for 93 to win by 33 runs at Hamilton in 1992/93 in an innings where current Pakistan coach Waqar Younis took five wickets.

England won the first Test of this series by 354 runs at Trent Bridge on August 1.

COMMENTS (2)

Asad | 14 years ago | Reply Younas Khan is the need of team at this moment. We have already tried a lot of new talent but nothing positive happened. Now we should built a team with all those experienced players like M. Yousuf, Younas Khan and Shoaib Malik as well despite of performing good in the previous matches. At least, give them a try. We already have lost two matches. We can't now win the series, but at least we can try not to lose it.

Hafeez | 14 years ago | Reply Learning the lesson the Hard Way I feel, lack of planning caused us to loose this match. Having identified the weakness in batting, we could have given chance to the bench strength we have got. Yasir Hameed was the obvious choice. Younis Khan is still missing from the team despite being in England. One positive from this test is the fight shown by the two players who came in as replacements. Lesson learnt is to try more experienced players. During the next and final test, we do have a strong chance with a more experienced batting lineup. Giving a call back to Younis Khan will be the right option at this stage.

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