17/01Result
1st Test, England tour of United Arab Emirates at Dubai, Jan 17-19 2012
Pakistan won by 10 wkts
Player of the Match
Saeed Ajmal
Saeed AjmalPakistan
17/01Result
1st Test, England tour of United Arab Emirates at Dubai, Jan 17-19 2012
Pakistan won by 10 wkts
Player of the Match
Saeed Ajmal
Saeed AjmalPakistan

End of match: Seems like ages since England last lost a Test. Perth 2010 I guess. You could point to rustiness, but I don't think anybody would have predicted England to lose in three days in the opening Test. We know they're a far better side than this. Perhaps they were a bit spooked by the spinners, rather the mere talk of them.

Pakistan have proved yet again they are one of the most difficult Test teams to beat. A series away from home, in this form and confidence, will present the true picture. Overall, a brilliant demolition job by the hosts.

I guess we won't expect any changes in the Pakistan line-up but there could be at least one for England. Finn for Tremlett is doing the rounds on Twitter. I'd probably bring in Monty Panesar for Tremlett, if the conditions are going to be similar. The presentation is coming up.

Atherton can't hide his amusement at the host of awards being given out - most sixes, best bowler, outstanding performance of the day blah blah.

Ajmal is the Man of the Match: "Very happy day for me. No turn on the first day. Looking forward to the next time. I'll try it (teesra) in the next game."

Strauss: "Losing five in the first session put us on the backfoot, We don't want to push the panic button. All credit to Pakistan, I thought our bowlers did well but our batsmen can do a lot better. Our preparation has been pretty good otherwise. To bowl Pakistan out for 330 odd was a pretty good effort on that surface. I think Pakistan have been very solid."

Misbah: "We didn't expect it to be so easy for us. Ajmal put us on the path to victory. Rehman and Hafeez are contributing very well. Conditions are not the easiest in Dubai for batting. After 2010 (in England), the players wanted to improve. I'd also like to congratulate the curator for this wicket."

So the England supporters have two extra days to kill in Dubai. Plenty to do to dispel the gloom.

Thanks for joining us. Plenty to read, courtesy George Dobell and David Hopps. Alex Winter says goodbye. Cheers!

3.4
4
Broad to Mohammad Hafeez, FOUR, Hafeez ends the formalities with a pull off the short ball in front of square on the on side!
3.3
0
Broad to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, bangs it in short and Hafeez bends down and hangs out the periscope, sharp bouncer there
3.2
4
Broad to Mohammad Hafeez, FOUR, this time he makes use of the width by getting beside the line and steering it well wide of point
3.1
0
Broad to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, fullish in length and he gets across and drops it down the pitch

END OF OVER:
3 | (maiden) | PAK: 7/0

  • Taufeeq Umar0 (6b)
  • Mohammad Hafeez7 (12b)
  • James Anderson2-1-7-0
  • Stuart Broad1-1-0-0
2.6
0
Anderson to Taufeeq Umar, no run, gets good bounce and carry outside off and Taufeeq is still watchful
2.5
0
Anderson to Taufeeq Umar, no run, gets across and softly nudges it down to midwicket
2.4
0
Anderson to Taufeeq Umar, no run, opportunity for Taufeeq to run it down to fine leg but he fails to make contact
2.3
0
Anderson to Taufeeq Umar, no run, drops it down towards gully and decides against the run
2.2
0
Anderson to Taufeeq Umar, no run, swings it away from the left-hander and he doesn't play at it
2.1
0
Anderson to Taufeeq Umar, no run, almost a run-out! Taufeeq drops it to the off side and Hafeez sends him scampering back, the fielder fails to collect it

END OF OVER:
2 | (maiden) | PAK: 7/0

  • Mohammad Hafeez7 (12b)
  • Taufeeq Umar0 (0b)
  • Stuart Broad1-1-0-0
  • James Anderson1-0-7-0
1.6
0
Broad to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, safely left alone again, Hafeez is willing to be patient
1.5
0
Broad to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, gets across and safely shoulders arms, Prior goes to his right and collects it
1.4
0
Broad to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, and once again Broad gets some really good bounce to keep Hafeez guessing, safely left alone
1.3
0
Broad to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, on a good length and keeps a bit low, safely left alone to the keeper
1.2
0
Broad to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, fullish in length outside off and he safely leaves it alone
1.1
0
Broad to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, gets some alarming lift off the pitch just outside off, where did that take off from?

Two fours will seal the deal. Here's Broad

END OF OVER:
1 | 7 Runs | PAK: 7/0

  • Mohammad Hafeez7 (6b)
  • Taufeeq Umar0 (0b)
  • James Anderson1-0-7-0
0.6
3
Anderson to Mohammad Hafeez, 3 runs, stands tall and punches it off the backfoot past backward point, Pakistan need just 8 more
0.5
4
Anderson to Mohammad Hafeez, FOUR, Chance A very tough one though, he gets a thick outside edge which just beats Swann's fingers at second slip, runs away to third man
0.4
0
Anderson to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, full and gets some generous inward movement from outside the off stump, pity for England they only have 15 to defend
0.3
0
Anderson to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, Hafeez is still watchful against the new ball, he isn't chasing anything yet
0.2
0
Anderson to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, lands it outside the off stump and he safely leaves it alone to the keeper
0.1
0
Anderson to Mohammad Hafeez, no run, short and a touch wide outside off, Hafeef decides not to chase that

The unbelievable is about to happen. A three-day finish

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