England destroy Pakistan to take series lead

Monday, 8 August 2016 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Reuters: Superb pace bowling, immaculate catching and astute captaincy combined to forge a thrilling final-day victory for England, who dismissed Pakistan for 201 to win the third test by 141 runs and go 2-1 up in the series.

England refused to be cowed by a 103-run first-innings deficit, building a 343-run lead when they batted again and then destroying the tourists with an immaculate performance in the field that saw six wickets tumble between lunch and tea.

Pakistan’s most determined resistance came in the final session when a last-wicket stand of 50 between Sohail Khan and Rahat Ali frustrated England as the overs ticked down and play entered the final hour. But, on 36, Sohail drove a flighted delivery from Moeen Ali straight back at the bowler, who safely clung on to a catch that sparked wild celebrations among Alastair Cook’s side. With a rare sense of symmetry, each of England’s five bowlers took two wickets although it required a devastating spell by Steve Finn and Chris Woakes, which yielded four wickets for just one run, to open up the innings.

Finn, who has faced criticism for his performances this summer, led the way by taking the vital wickets of Misbah-ul-Haq -- his first wicket in 414 balls this series -- and Sami Aslam. The opener had led the fight with a determined 70, his second half-century of the game. At the other end, Woakes proved equally lethal, trapping Asad Shafiq without scoring and then having Sarfraz Ahmed well caught by Joe Root in the slips for another duck. That wicket was Woakes’ 23rd of a prolific series.