5:54 AM
McGhori
DUBAI: Mercurial Pakistan have done it once again.
In what can be called a historic win against top-ranked England, Pakistan cruised to a compelling victory when England collapsed for 160. Pakistan were left with just 15 runs to chase to seal the match on the third day of the first test.
England were struggling at 75-5 at tea on the third day of the first cricket Test against Pakistan at Dubai Stadium here on Thursday, needing another 71 runs to avoid an innings defeat.
At the break Jonathan Trott was unbeaten on 42 and with him Matt Prior who has yet to score. Pakistan scored 338 in their first innings to take a 146-run lead.
At the break Alastair Cook was batting on two and Jonathan Trott was eight not out. England still need 130 runs to avoid an innings defeat.
In the morning wicket-keeper batsman Adnan Akmal boosted Pakistan’s lead to 146 with a gutsy half-century.
The 26-year-old right-hander scored a career best 61 for his second Test half-century to take his team to 338, adding another 50 runs after Pakistan resumed at 288-7.
Pakistan were in danger of being shot out early as they lost Gul (nought) in the second over of the day when Stuart Broad forced an edge to gully where Eoin Morgan held an easy catch.
Adnan, who hit eight boundaries during his 129-ball knock, kept the pressure on England with a pugnacious 30-run stand for the ninth wicket with Saeed Ajmal who made 12.
Graeme Swann, who finished with 4-107, removed Ajmal with a sharp spinning delivery that caught the glove and landed in the safe hands of Cook at forward short-leg.
Adnan swept Swann twice for boundaries and then edged the same bowler through the slips for a couple to reach his fifty. His previous best of 53 came against Bangladesh in Dhaka last month.
Adnan was finally dismissed, stumped by keeper Matt Prior as he jumped out of the crease to drive Swann but completely missed the ball.
Broad finished with 3-84 and James Anderson took 2-71.
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