England, set 118 to win, finished on 118 for one as they went an unbeatable 2-0 up in this four-match series with more than a day to spare.
Opening batsman Strauss and Jonathan Trott were both 53 not out, with England winning their sixth Test in a row.
“We had a few butterflies because we knew we had to work hard for a Test match win. It was a timely reminder for us we have to work for a Test match win. All credit to Pakistan,” said Strauss.
England were on seven when Alastair Cook was clean bowled by left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer after a full length delivery kept low. England could then have been 17 for two when off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, with only his third ball, induced an edge from Strauss.
But debutant wicket-keeper Zulqarnain Haider, brought in after Kamran Akmal missed several chances and bagged a pair in Pakistan’s 354-run first Test defeat at Trent Bridge, could not hold the tough catch.
Zulqarnain then failed to hold a simpler chance off an edge from Strauss, on 38, with Ajmal again the unlucky bowler. Yet again, Strauss, was on 43 when Mohammad Asif, running back at mid-off, failed to hold a skyer off Shoaib Malik but England were then almost home.
Pakistan were earlier dismissed for 296, after resuming on 291 for nine, with Asif (14) caught in the gully by Kevin Pietersen off Stuart Broad.
England off-spinner Graeme Swann took a Test-best six wickets for 65 runs in Pakistan’s second innings and was named man-of-the-match.
“Swann was outstanding, the wicket had flattened out and he came to the party again,” said Strauss after the spinner had gone two whole innings without bowling at all.
Pakistan captain Salman Butt, who confirmed paceman Umar Gul would miss the remaining two Tests of this series after suffering a hamstring injury, praised the performance of England swing specialist James Anderson, who took four for 20 in Pakistan’s first innings. Salman admitted, “I think the English bowlers bowled really well. I think Anderson is in the form of his life.”
The opening batsman also defended Pakistan’s decision not to play Mohammad Yousuf after the former captain arrived in England the day before this match. “The last 15 days there has been very heavy rain fall in Lahore and he didn’t have a chance to practise,” said Salman. “It would have been difficult to put him in and expect a lot from him.”
Former Test cricketer Basit Ali
Salman Butt’s defensive strategy in the match led to the defeat. It is high time that Younus Khan and Mohammad Sami are brought back.
Former captain Wasim akram
Pakistan players need mental toughness and there is no need of a batting coach because he can’t change the technique of our batsmen overnight.
Former chief selector Abdul Qadir
The PCB should send an emergency advisory committee comprising former cricketers to England who can give guidance to the youngsters.
Former captain Aamir Sohail
Pakistan showed lack of planning again. It seems the coaches are not doing their homework because it’s their responsibility to identify weaknesses
Published in The Express Tribune, August 10th, 2010.
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