With a shuffled playing eleven that welcomed back Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Yousuf, Pakistan handed a debut to Wahab Riaz and dropped Shoaib Malik. While Pakistan’s bowling, for the fifth time in as many Tests, tore through the opposition, the tourists managed to cross 300 for the first time on the tour and the 75-run lead handed Pakistan a chaseable 148 to register their first win of the series.
“Everyone in the side put his hand up and contributed,” said Salman after breaking England’s run of six consecutive Test wins. “Yousuf chipped in with his experience, Kamran took all his catches, Aamir and Saeed Ajmal took wickets, Mohammad Asif bowled well, Wahab Riaz contributed with the bat and the ball and Azhar Ali scored 92. Because of this I’m a very happy captain right now.”
Salman, while lauding the efforts of coach Waqar Younis, handed special praise to Aamir who became the youngest bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in England. The fast-bowler, still only 18, has taken 24 wickets in five Tests this summer and was also shortlisted for the ICC’s 2010 Emerging Player of the year Award.
“He’ll definitely win the award because I haven’t seen such a talent at that age. Even Wasim Akram said the same and if a legend is saying that then there must be something in him.
“Having people like Waqar in the dressing room gives us confidence, reminds us of the great wins and puts belief in a youngster that he too can become a hero. It is important to have heroes in the dressing room and Waqar has done a great job so far.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2010.
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