Shah stars for Pakistan in series draw
YASIR Shah took five wickets as Pakistan marked the country’s Independence Day with a 10-wicket win over England in the fourth test at the Oval yesterday.
With the victory, Pakistan end the four-match series all square at 2-2 on a ground where they won their first test match in England back in 1954.
England, 88/4 overnight, were dismissed for 253 in their second innings.
Shah took 5/71 in 29 overs after Jonny Bairstow top-scored with 81.
That left Pakistan needing just 40 to win after excellent hundreds by man-of-the-match Younis Khan (218) and Asad Shafiq (109) had helped them compile a commanding first-innings total of 542.
Azhar Ali (30 not out) ended the match by hitting Moeen Ali for a straight six for Pakistan to finish on 42 without loss.
Sami Aslam was 12 not out as Pakistan bounced back in style from their 141-run defeat in the third test at Edgbaston.
“It was special, keeping in mind it was Independence Day, to draw the series here after being 2-1 down, losing the second test badly and losing the third,” delighted Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq said.
“The way the team fought back, I’m a really happy captain.”
Younis said: “As a senior player, I always want to contribute. That is why it [the double century] was on the right time.”
Pakistan are third in the world test rankings at the moment but, following this win, could rise to No 1 if results in Sri Lanka and the West Indies go their way.
England captain Alastair Cook said: “We played at a disappointing level. We have drawn a series so it’s not the end of the world, but we had the opportunity to beat Pakistan and it’s frustrating.
“We didn’t bat, bowl or field well enough.”
England resumed in trouble at 88/4, 126 runs adrift, after Shah had ripped through the top order with 3/15 late on Saturday. Gary Ballance was on four not out and Bairstow on 14 not out.
Ballance, though, was out for 17 when, playing carelessly away from his body, he was caught behind off Sohail Khan.
New batsman Moeen Ali had frustrated Pakistan with a firstinnings of 108 and shared a partnership of 93 with Bairstow.
But Ali fell for 32 when he went back defensively to Shah, nipping a thin edge which wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed held at a second attempt to end a stand of 65.
England were 194/6 at lunch, still 20 behind, with Bairstow 70 not out.
But they lost two wickets in two balls to be 209/8.
Pakistan go to Ireland for two one-day internationals next week before returning to England for five ODIs and a Twenty20.
It was special, keeping in mind it was Independence Day