Pakistan won by 75 runs; brilliant performance by the leggie and good contributions by the pacers saw England all out for 207.

By Abdullah Ansari (17th July, 2016)

Toss: Pakistan won the toss, Misbah-ul-Haq chose to bat first.

Teams

Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali.

England: AN Cook (c), AD Hales, JE Root, JM Vince, GS Ballance, JM Bairstow (wk), MM Ali, CR Woakes, SCJ Broad, JT Ball, ST Finn.

England started the day on the front foot, with Broad taking out Yasir Shah and Mohammad Amir very early in the day to end Pakistan's innings at 215, meaning that England would need to score 283 to win the match.

England started off strongly once again, going at a good run-rate but Rahat Ali got the breakthrough in the 4th over as Alastair Cook was caught behind for just 8. Alex Hales followed him after a few overs as he edged to the slips, getting out for 16, again to Rahat. Joe Root was next as he got frustrated and went for a big pull after making 9, but only managed to find the man at mid-wicket, leaving England at 47/3. Vince and Ballance were then involved in a partnership before Vince perished for 42, trying to cut a wide ball from Wahab. Another short partnership followed between Ballance and Bairstow before Ballance was bowled behind his legs by a huge leg-break by Yasir Shah. Moeen Ali didn't hang around, going for a wild hoick, getting bowled by the leggie as well.

Chris Woakes then joined Bairstow at the crease and the two proceeded to frustrate the tourists. Woakes was very stubborn in defence, and Bairstow very solid, having adjusted after being outdone by Yasir in the first innings. Wahab Riaz came on and bowled an unplayable spell of reverse swing, but the batsmen kept missing, with the occasional outside edge not carrying to the slips. Pakistan were increasingly frustrated as the partnership crossed 50, taking over 30 overs. Bairstow's concentration finally lapsed, playing across the line to a straight delivery and getting bowled by Yasir Shah.

Stuart Broad didn't last long, getting bowled by a straight ball from Mohammad Amir. Steve Finn was given LBW first ball, but reviewed successfully. However, Chris Woakes, needing to get a move on since there were still quite a few runs required, went for a big drive against Yasir, getting caught at slip and giving the leggie a ten-fer on his first Test outside Asia. Mohammad Amir wrapped up the win, getting Jake Ball bowled as Pakistan won by 75 runs.

Summary: A brilliant win for Pakistan, their first at Lord's in 20 years. Pakistan will have been apprehensive when Woakes and Bairstow were looking impossible to dislodge, but good, accurate spells by Yasir, Amir and Wahab ensured that the runs were always kept in check. Once Yasir made the breakthrough, the result was never in doubt. Pakistan will be thrilled to have made a strong start to the series after a lot of people doubted their ability to win outside Asia. A outstanding match to watch for the neutrals as the match had constant up and downs with the result only being obvious right at the end of the match.

Fall of wickets:

9-214 (Yasir Shah, 77.6 ov)
10-215 (Mohammad Amir, 79.1 ov)

1-19 (Cook, 3.1 ov)
2-32 (Hales, 7.1 ov)
3-47 (Root, 13.4 ov)
4-96 (Vince, 23.4 ov)
5-135 (Ballance, 37.2 ov)
6-139 (Ali, 39.1 ov)
7-195 (Bairstow, 70.5 ov)
8-196 (Broad, 71.1 ov)
9-204 (Woakes, 74.4 ov)
10-207 (Ball, 75.5 ov)

Discuss!