Riaz makes hay of Test debut

New inclusions Yasir Hameed and debutant Wahab Riaz proved to be Pakistan’s backbone on the opening day of the third Test against England at The Oval.

Pakistan dominated the day with Riaz claiming five for 63 to bundle out the hosts for 233 before Hameed and Imran Farhat added 48 runs for the first wicket as the tourists lost the latter in the final over of the day through James Anderson.

A shot, played away from the body, proved to be Farhat’s undoing as the inside edge hit the stumps for Riaz to make another appearance on the field as the nightwatchman.

He survived the final three deliveries of the day as Pakistan went in at stumps trailing by 185 runs in the first innings in the sunshine.

Wahab proves his worth

Earlier, it was Pakistan’s pace yet again that proved to be England’s undoing. Riaz, who became the second player after Saeed Ajmal to take five wickets in the first match on the tour, utilised the overcast conditions and proved to be the hosts’ nemesis.

On a rather stunning day for Pakistan as far as fielding was concerned, Matt Prior, dropped by a diving Kamran Akmal when on 29, made full use of the reprieve and continued with his good form to score an unbeaten 84 while adding a 119-run eighth wicket partnership with Stuart Broad which revived the England innings.

The partnership, a record for England’s eighth wicket against Pakistan, put the hosts out of trouble after they were reduced to 94 for seven.

Mohammad Asif struck in the second over as he induced an edge from Alastair Cook, whose lean run with the bat continued. But it was Riaz, operating close to 90 miles an hour, who continued with the rout as he dismissed England captain Andrew Strauss with wickets falling at regular intervals.

Jonathan Trott and Paul Collingwood were sent back in quick succession as Riaz, missing Asif’s seam movement, bothered the batsmen with his accuracy.

But Broad and Prior ensured that England crossed the 200- mark before Riaz returned to break the partnership. Broad’s dismissal was followed by James Anderson’s through Asif. However, last-gasp efforts and a sitter dropped by the returning Mohammad Yousuf did not cost much as Ajmal took his first wicket.

Pakistan used only four bowlers as Asif took three and Aamir claimed one to put the tourists into a strong position in a match they must win to save the series. Pakistan lost the first Test by 354 runs before going down in the second match by nine wickets.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19th, 2010.