Pakistan crushes England to level series
Pakistan crushes England to level series
August 15, 2016 | 12:04 AM
Pakistan players celebrate their win against England after the fourth Test match at the Oval in London Sunday. — Reuters
August 15, 2016 | 12:04 AM
Last Updated: August 15, 2016 | 12:04 AM
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LONDON — Leg-spinner Yasir Shah took five wickets to help Pakistan crush England by 10 wickets in the final Test at the Oval Sunday and level a fluctuating series 2-2.
The touring side bowled England out for 253 in its second innings, Shah completing figures of 5-71, before Azhar Ali and Sami Aslam eased it to a simple target of 40 in 13.1 overs to complete an emphatic win.
"It was special, keeping in mind it was Independence Day, it was something special to draw the series here after being 2-1 down, losing the second Test badly and losing the third," Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq told the BBC. "But the way the team fought back, I'm a really happy captain."
[caption id="attachment_76986" align="alignright"]
Pakistan's Misbahul Haq and England's Alastair Cook pose with the trophy after the Test at the Oval in London Sunday. — Reuters[/caption] England had resumed on 88 for four and Gary Ballance soon fell for 17 but Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali shared a sixth-wicket partnership of 65 to give the host hope of saving the match.
Shortly before lunch, however, Shah deceived Moeen with a quicker delivery and the left-hander, on 32, nicked another catch to a gleeful Sarfraz.
Chris Woakes was run out following a mix-up with Bairstow, who drove the next delivery from Wahab Riaz straight to extra cover, his departure for 81 ending any realistic chance of England saving the match.
Stuart Broad reverse swept Shah straight to Younis Khan at slip and after Steven Finn and James Anderson shared a defiant last-wicket partnership of 32, Anderson was trapped lbw by part-time off-spinner Iftikhar Ahmed for 17.
Azhar smashed Moeen for a huge six to take Pakistan to 42-0 and clinch victory, punching the air in delight before leaving the field with Aslam to warm applause from the sun-baked crowd.
"You expect to win your home series, but Pakistan showed its class — we knew Younis was going to get us eventually as you don't average 50 in more than 100 Tests if you're not a class player," England captain Alastair Cook said, referring to the innings of 218 by Younis Khan which set up Pakistan's victory.
Man-of-the-Match Younis added: "As a senior player I always want to contribute. That's why it (the double century) was on the right time."
Pakistan won the first Test at Lord's and England was victorious in Manchester and Birmingham.
Pakistan remains third in the world Test rankings but, following this win, could rise to No. 1 if results in Sri Lanka and the West Indies go its way.
But Sunday's result scuppered England's immediate hopes of climbing to the top of the standings.
Broad fined
England fast bowler Stuart Broad has been fined 20 percent of his match fee for publicly criticizing an umpiring decision during the Test, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said Sunday.
Broad tweeted his frustration regarding the controversial dismissal of Alex Hales on the first day of the Test at the Oval after the England opener was given out caught by Yasir Shah off Mohammad Amir.
Hales was earlier fined 15 percent of his match fee for showing dissent to the television umpire, who upheld Yasir's catch at midwicket though the batsman believed the ball had touched the ground before carrying to the fielder.
Broad had admitted his offense and accepted the fine proposed by match referee Richie Richardson and there was no need for a formal hearing, the governing body ICC said in a statement.
Pakistan's Misbahul Haq and England's Alastair Cook pose with the trophy after the Test at the Oval in London Sunday. — Reuters[/caption] England had resumed on 88 for four and Gary Ballance soon fell for 17 but Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali shared a sixth-wicket partnership of 65 to give the host hope of saving the match.
Shortly before lunch, however, Shah deceived Moeen with a quicker delivery and the left-hander, on 32, nicked another catch to a gleeful Sarfraz.
Chris Woakes was run out following a mix-up with Bairstow, who drove the next delivery from Wahab Riaz straight to extra cover, his departure for 81 ending any realistic chance of England saving the match.
Stuart Broad reverse swept Shah straight to Younis Khan at slip and after Steven Finn and James Anderson shared a defiant last-wicket partnership of 32, Anderson was trapped lbw by part-time off-spinner Iftikhar Ahmed for 17.
Azhar smashed Moeen for a huge six to take Pakistan to 42-0 and clinch victory, punching the air in delight before leaving the field with Aslam to warm applause from the sun-baked crowd.
"You expect to win your home series, but Pakistan showed its class — we knew Younis was going to get us eventually as you don't average 50 in more than 100 Tests if you're not a class player," England captain Alastair Cook said, referring to the innings of 218 by Younis Khan which set up Pakistan's victory.
Man-of-the-Match Younis added: "As a senior player I always want to contribute. That's why it (the double century) was on the right time."
Pakistan won the first Test at Lord's and England was victorious in Manchester and Birmingham.
Pakistan remains third in the world Test rankings but, following this win, could rise to No. 1 if results in Sri Lanka and the West Indies go its way.
But Sunday's result scuppered England's immediate hopes of climbing to the top of the standings.
Broad fined
England fast bowler Stuart Broad has been fined 20 percent of his match fee for publicly criticizing an umpiring decision during the Test, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said Sunday.
Broad tweeted his frustration regarding the controversial dismissal of Alex Hales on the first day of the Test at the Oval after the England opener was given out caught by Yasir Shah off Mohammad Amir.
Hales was earlier fined 15 percent of his match fee for showing dissent to the television umpire, who upheld Yasir's catch at midwicket though the batsman believed the ball had touched the ground before carrying to the fielder.
Broad had admitted his offense and accepted the fine proposed by match referee Richie Richardson and there was no need for a formal hearing, the governing body ICC said in a statement. 
