Team England had a run-feast in the first test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi as their four top order batters scored hundred at a quick pace.
English skipper Ben Stokes too was showing some aggressive approach against Pakistan pacer Naseem Shah but the young pacer had the last laugh as he shown Stokes the way towards the pavilion.
Naseem Shah’s presence of mind helps depart Ben Stokes
The English side had made it very clear that they’ll play their aggressive game even on Pakistan’s soil and won’t fear losing in the Asian conditions. The ‘Bazball’ approach as termed by the English media worked really well for the touring side as they posted a massive total of 657 runs in the first innings of Rawalpindi Test.
While all of the English top order batters scored freely, it was Ben Stokes who looked really dangerous with his approach as he scored a quickfire 41 off just 18 deliveries. Stokes showed some audacity in the first over of the second day bowled by young Naseem Shah. He scored a massive six straight over the back of his head on the first ball of the day’s play.
Stokes took a single off the next ball and went off strike. He got the strike back from Harry Brook a ball later. However, Naseem Shah had different plans this time as he knew that the English skipper will take charge again. The young Pakistan pacer showed great presence of mind and bowled a slow back of length delivery that bowlers generally use in T20 format.
Stokes was anyway playing in the T20 mode and went for an aggressive stroke again but missed the delivery as Naseem had given no pace at all. The stumps were dislodged and Naseem got his revenge way too soon as he looked elated after departing the English skipper.
First over of the day and @iNaseemShah dismisses the England captain 👏#PAKvENG | #UKSePK pic.twitter.com/TYsrV8oG6p
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 2, 2022
The English side went on to score a mammoth total of 657 runs on possibly the flattest pitch possible continuing their aggressive approach in red-ball cricket. Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook scored quick-fire hundreds for the English side and put the Pakistan team under some serious pressure.
