Test cricket has been given a new life after the way England have started playing the longest format of the game. The three lions have started playing a unique brand of cricket called the Baz-Ball. This has come into effect ever since Brendon McCullum took over the reins of the longest format coaching job with England.
England on Monday claimed a famous win over Pakistan by 74 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three match series. The final day of the 1st test was filled with suspense and anxiety as both the teams were seen giving it their all.
The story so far –
Saud Shakeel was one of the 4 debutants that Pakistan fielded for this game. The left hander is regarded as a really classy and stylish batter. The 27 year old has scored 37 off 94 balls in his first innings with 3 fours before falling to Robinson.
Saud Shakeel’s fightback ended by Jennings –
27 year old Saud Shakeel was batting well out of skins to save the game for his side. The left hander had seen of the best of the English bowling as nothing seemed to faze him. That’s when Ben Stokes got substitute fielder Keaton Jennings in a catching position. Robinson bowled one wide outside off stump to tempt Shakeel to go for a drive.
The batter responded as the ball got the bottom edge of the bat flying to Jennings who placed specially for this kind of shot. Jennings alert to the situation grabbed a diving stunner to get rid of the left hander for 76 off 159 balls with 12 fours to his name. Shakeel took some time to leave the field as he was stunned and his wicket meant Pakistan were 198/5 with 145 runs more needed.
England win a close and fascinating contest –
Ollie Robinson and James Anderson got 4 wickets each as the two went through the Pakistani batting line up. Tail enders, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Ali added 4 runs in nearly ten overs of stoic batting.
The crowd was throwing their weight behind the duo as the light was fading quick just like the hopes of a result. That’s when Jack Leach bowling with the new ball struck Shah on the pads and he was given out LBW. Shah went up for the DRS but the decision stayed as the English were seen celebrating after a famous win.
Twitter reacts –
The cricket fans lauded the captaincy of the Ben Stokes and the catch by Jennings and you can read all the tweets below.