RAWALPINDI: 4 England batsmen scored masses Thursday because the guests piled up a document 506-4 at the opening day of the primary Check in opposition to Pakistan in Rawalpindi. Openers Zak Crawley (122) and Ben Duckett (107) set the tone with quick-fire lots in opposition to a hapless Pakistan bowling assault earlier than Ollie Pope (108)and Harry Brook (101 no longer out) compounded their distress. Ben Stokes used to be additionally no longer out, on 34, when dangerous gentle stopped play, having helped England wreck a 112-year-old document for essentially the most runs at the first day of a Check-beating Australia’s 494-6 in opposition to South Africa at Sydney.
After successful the toss England went immediately into “Bazball” mode, the logo of freewheeling, competitive batting taken from the nickname of head trainer Brendon McCullum. England’s fiery batting-with 73 limitations and 3 sixes-lifted the gloom over the beginning, which hung within the stability Wednesday after a number of of the vacationers got here down with a thriller virus. As though the punishment from the highest 3 wasn’t sufficient, Brook-playing handiest his 2d Check-cracked six consecutive limitations off one over from debutant spinner Saud Shakeel.
He’s handiest the fourth batsman to attain six consecutive limitations in a Check, following West Indians Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan, and Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya. Brook reached his maiden century off simply 80 balls, capping a extremely entertaining day for a crowd of 6,000 that incorporated round 150 “Barmy Military” enthusiasts. Brook added 176 for the fourth wicket with Pope, who fell to pacer Mohammad Ali. Pakistan had in brief fought again in the second one consultation once they disregarded Duckett, Crawley and Joe Root (23) within the area of 53 runs, however that used to be shortlived.
Debutant leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood used to be essentially the most a success Pakistan bowler with 2-160 on a pitch very similar to the only used in opposition to Australia previous this yr. That pitch used to be declared “underneath moderate” by way of the fit referee after it yielded 1,187 runs for the lack of simply 14 wickets over 5 days. Duckett, who hit his maiden hundred after being recalled to the Check facet following a lack of six years, used to be the primary to head when he ignored a opposite sweep off Mahmood and used to be trapped leg-before.
West Indian umpire Joel Wilson first of all dominated it no longer out, handiest to modify his choice on Pakistan’s assessment. Duckett, who hit 15 limitations, placed on 233 for the primary wicket with Crawley-an England document for the primary wicket in opposition to Pakistan. It beat the 1962 stand of 198 between openers Geoff Pullar and Bob Barber in Dhaka, then East Pakistan. Crawley used to be bowled off a pointy incoming supply by way of Haris Rauf within the subsequent over, the Check debutant’s first wicket.
The lanky Crawley hit 21 limitations in his quickfire 111-ball innings, his 3rd Check hundred. Former skipper Root additionally fell leg-before to Mahmood, unsuccessfully difficult the verdict. Crawley confirmed his intent proper from the beginning, hitting 3 limitations off Pakistan speedy bowler Naseem Shah’s first over of the fit, and citing his half-century off simply 38 balls. He may have turn out to be the primary England batter to attain a century earlier than lunch on day certainly one of a Check however used to be left 9 quick. England are on their first Check excursion to Pakistan in 17 years. – AFP