Ireland game helped us prepare for win against England, says Sarfraz
LONDON: Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed said he felt both surprised and proud after his inexperienced side outplayed England during a dominant nine-wicket win in the first Test at Lord’s.
Victory, completed before lunch on the fourth day, put Pakistan 1-0 up in a two-match series ahead of the second Test at Headingley that starts on Friday.
Pakistan’s batsmen and bowlers applied themselves to the demands of playing an early season Test in English conditions far more effectively than the home side.
They caught better too, with England dropping several chances.
Man-of-the-match Mohammad Abbas led Pakistan’s attack with an overall return of eight for 64, while four Pakistan batsmen hit fifties in a competitive first-innings 363.
“Yes, I am very surprised,” said Sarfraz.
“If you look at the England team they are very experienced but I am proud of my players.”
It was one example of the team’s much sharper performance after their shoddy display during this month’s five-wicket win over Test debutants Ireland in Dublin, with Sarfraz saying it was a “credit” to the work of Pakistan fielding coach Steve Rixon, the former Australia wicketkeeper.
“Ireland gave us a tough time and that helped us prepare for this Test,” Sarfraz added.
“We thought that even if we lose we should learn.” As for Pakistan’s batting, Sarfraz said: “The ball was moving, so no credit is enough for the batsmen.”
STONEMAN DROPPED
In the aftermath of the humiliating nine-wicket defeat to Pakistan, England selectors on Monday recalled opener Keaton Jennings for the second Test at Headingley, while dropping an off-colour Mark Stoneman from the squad.
Jennings, 25, scored a century on his Test debut against India in Mumbai but lost his place midway through last season after struggling to build on that early milestone.
Stoneman failed twice at Lord’s.
ENGLAND SQUAD: Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Joe Root (Captain), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow (WK), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Dom Bess, Mark Wood, Stuart Broad, James Anderson, Chris Woakes
PAKISTAN FINED
Pakistan have been fined for a slow over-rate in their first Test win at Lord’s. Sarfraz Ahmed has been fined 60% of his match fee, with the rest of the players fined 30 per cent. If Pakistan commit another offence inside 12 months with Sarfraz as captain, he will be suspended.
In announcing the sanctions, the ICC said Sarfraz had pleaded guilty and as such avoided a formal hearing.
Pakistan won by nine wickets on Sunday to take the lead in the two-Test series.