Cricket Bold move by Stokes sets up exciting final day in Rawalpindi

ENGLAND’S daring declaration set up a thrilling final day of the first Test in Rawalpindi, with Pakistan requiring 263 more runs to win with eight wickets remaining.

The tourists only set Pakistan 343 runs to win on a very flat deck, having scored 264 runs in just 35.5 overs in their second innings at a run rate of more than 7.5, At the close, the hosts were 80-2.

England had stressed their desire to entertain and force a result before the start of the series and this was in evidence in the afternoon session on day four, as they used all the tricks to pile on runs as quickly as possible to give themselves the best chance to secure what would be only a third Test victory in Pakistan.

The declaration has reduced the potential for a draw, with Ben Stokes, pictured, continuing to be a bold captain in his approach to batting, fielding and decisionmaking.

The visitors’ attacking form carried on into the field, where they persevered with a short-ball approach, and claimed two wickets for their efforts, despite Stokes being hit for successive fours in his first deliveries of the innings.

England made two early inroads, with Abdullah Shafique and Babar Azam falling victim to the short ball, although the home side continued to score quickly.

For the first wicket, Ollie Robinson successfully tempted Abdullah into a pull shot, only to pick out Harry Brook on the deep square leg boundary. Azhar Ali was then forced to return to the dressing from after retiring hurt following a blow to the top of his right index finger, and it remains to be seen whether the batter will recover in time to bat on the final day.

Despite scoring a masterful century in the first innings, Babar made just four runs before getting out caught behind off Stokes.

Stokes’ side almost had a third wicket in one of the final overs of the day, but Saud Shakeel was dropped by Keaton Jennings at short leg when he was on 22, and he finished day four on 24 not out, well supported by Imamul-Haq who followed up a firstinnings century with an unbeaten 43.

England’s unconventional batting approach was epitomised by Joe Root, who briefly switched to batting left-handed for two balls during his innings in an attempt to disrupt the bowler - but was almost caught at conventional pointturned-square-leg before reverting to his usual stance.

Brook then brought up his second half century of the game, and briefly threatened to break Gilbert Jessop’s 120-year-old record for the fastest-ever century - 76 balls by an England player in Test matches.

The Yorkshireman was on 87 from 65 when he was bowled trying to score yet another boundary by Naseem Shah, who was the pick of the Pakistan bowling attack.

Zak Crawley also scored his second half-century of the match, and Will Jacks added a useful quickfire 24 from 12 deliveries before being caught at mid-off trying to score a third successive six.