Pakistan Had The Questions & The Answers

Misbah-ul-haq doing a great job

The result in Dubai was inevitable and will finally make the cricket world sit up and take notice of the achievements of Misbar-ul-haq and Moshin Khan in rebuilding Pakistan cricket. By attracting back the experienced Younis Khan, surrounding him and Misbah with talent youngsters and then remaining faithful to them, they have been bringing credibility back to Pakistani cricket through results. Pakistan haven't lost a Test series now since England beat them in July of 2010 and this return "home" series brings them full circle.

Its ugly cricket at times but the effectiveness has never been better shown in this 3-0 drubbing of the world No 1. There have been those who dismissed their progress, citing the opponents their have subdued in the process and conveniently ignoring the drawn series a year ago against South Africa in the UAE. This victory should put paid to that. England, whilst rusty at the start, were knocked to the canvass and never let up again, especially in this Test, where Pakistan fought back after being out for 99 half way through the first day.

Eoin Morgan made a quick 31

Its not that England didn't fight hard on what was to be the last day. Two dropped catches in the first half hour seemed to be saying England would finally have a rub of the green but Pakistan soon recovered. Five of England's top seven batted for an hour or more, whilst Matt Prior batted for two hours and Alastair Cook for four but it was the inability to break the stranglers hold that Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman on their run scoring that was always going to be the battle to be won. By the time Cook was brilliantly caught by Younis at slip off Ajmal, England's run chase was non existent at 4-119 at less than two an over. Eoin Morgan played his best innings of the series, taking adventure to the task, regardless of danger, sweeping Rehman and lofting Ajmal back over his head, including a six over the sightscreen. Bell was not as fluent but hung in there to add 47 before Umar Gul was called back before the new ball was due and removed both in the space of two overs. After an hour of concentration, Bell inexplicably swatted a long hop from Gul to cover point and Morgan charged down the track to flog, changed his mind and meekly edged behind. In the circumstances, they were dreadful shots.

Winners are grinners

Prior then engaged in a one man campaign to win the match and rescue England's reputation and each of the tail played the best they were allowed. Gul took two more wickets with the new ball but it was fitting that Ajmal and Rehman took the final two wickets. It only took twenty overs after Morgan was dismissed but in that time Prior made a gallant 49 not out, latching onto anything short outside off stump.

Ajmal (24 wickets at 14) and Rehman (19 wickets at 16) had series figures which reflected England's constant dilemma but Umar Gul and Mohammad Hafeez took vital wickets whicha affected the course of the series. Azhar Ali and Younis Hkan made the only centuries for Pakistan, both innings which set up the third win. For England, it was a sad reflection that Matt Prior led the batting averages and was only a short way from leading the aggregate. Prior was the only player to average more than thirty and Morgan (13.66) and Bell (8.50) had disastrous tours. The bowlers did their job, with Monty Panesar and Stuart Broad the best of them but despite bowling Pakistan out for totals that kept England in the game, it was the failure of the batting which cost England so badly.

Andy Flower & Andrew Strauss

England retain their number one spot - just - from South Africa and with South Africa touring New Zealand for three Test in March, the top spot is likely to slip from their grasp. With two Test away series to Sri Lanka likely to be problematic for England, they will have three Test at home against an improving West Indies in May before the likely battle for the top spot at home against South Africa in July/Aug.

Don't miss any action this winter!