Image Credit – ESPN CricInfo.
Venue: Headingly, Leeds [June 1-5, 2018].
In the summer of 2018, the Pakistani cricket team toured England to play a couple of test matches. The English were on a backfoot after a disastrous tour of Australia and New Zealand. Moreover, the situation got even worse as they lost the first test at Lord's and were now playing for survival. The team was literally facing criticism from every corner. Careers of many English players were now at stake.
Amidst such huge pressure, the teams reached Yorkshire for the final test. Pakistani captain Sarfaraz Ahmed won the toss and elected to bat first. The decision, however, turned out to be a disaster as the pace trio of Anderson (3), Broad (3) and Woakes (3) dismantled the visitors in no time. The Men in Green were bowled out for just 174 runs in 48.1 overs as the speedsters ran riot in their favourite hunting ground. Headingley is known for its pace, bounce and swing, and the English capitalised on it to the fullest. In response, the English posted a competitive 363 in their first innings as the visitors struggled for wickets. Jos Buttler played a scintillating knock of 80* as the hosts found their rhythm back. It is pertinent to note that even though it was only Jos who crossed the 50 runs mark, if we look at the English scorecard, then we will see that every English batsman contributed significantly, unlike the Pakistanis, wherein only Shadab Khan got some runs.
Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.
A deficit of 189 runs proved to be too much for the visitors as they were bowled out for just 134 runs in their second innings. The English won the test by an innings and 55 runs, and the series was levelled 1-1. Most importantly, the hosts got their mojo back just before the big Indian summer.
To watch the Highlights of the Test Match, Click Below-
