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Rediff.com  » Sports » Pakistan press for face-saving win

Pakistan press for face-saving win

By Tony Lawrence
August 20, 2006 00:48 IST
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England, needing to score 331 to avoid an innings defeat against rejuvenated Pakistan, closed on 78 for one after a rain-affected third day of the fourth and final Test on Saturday.

Captain Andrew Strauss was 37 not out, with Alastair Cook undefeated on 33 as Pakistan heaped further humiliation on the home side at the Oval.

Marcus Trescothick continued his wretched run, caught behind for four off paceman Mohammad Asif. The left-handed opener has totalled 135 runs in the series at an average of 19.28.

England, despite a blundering performance in all departments, are sure of winning the series after victories in the second and third Tests.

Pakistan, replying to the home side's first innings 173, earlier resumed on 336 for three and batted through several rain interruptions before being bowled out for 504.

Mohammad Yousuf top-scored with 128 although he never regained the fluency he displayed on Friday.

His statistics form a striking contrast with those of Trescothick.

WORLD RANKINGS

Fourth in the world rankings, Yousuf has made 631 runs in England, including innings of 202 and 192, at an average of 90.14. He has compiled 1,123 Test runs in 2006, more than any other player.

Steve Harmison swept up the Pakistan tail with two wickets in three balls to finish with four for 125 while Matthew Hoggard took three for 124.

Hoggard deserved far more, dismissing three of the top four batsmen and having three catches dropped.

Harmison deserved far less, spraying the ball in all directions.

His wickets took his series tally to 20 but he looked out of sorts for long spells, only coming to life in the afternoon after having skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq caught at second slip for 31.

Harmison suddenly found an extra yard of pace as well as a sense of direction, removing Kamran Akmal in similar fashion for 15. That gave him two wickets for one run in 15 balls.

In the 46 overs before removing Inzamam, a barren run going back to the third Test at Headingley, the lanky strike bowler from Durham had failed to take a single wicket.

If Harmison needed inspiration, he should have watched the 24-year-old Asif.

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Tony Lawrence
Source: REUTERS
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