The fifth and final day of the third test between England and Pakistan at Birmingham has all the makings of a genuine thriller. With a maximum of 84 overs possible, England needs 10 Pakistan wickets in order to take a 2-1 lead in the 4 match series. Contrary to expectations, England didn’t declare their innings overnight as skipper Alastair Cook wanted his batsmen to add some more runs.
Needing 343 to win the test, going for the victorious route for Pakistan is an option already out of context. With just 84 overs to survive, Pakistan’s second innings got off to an appalling style as experienced batsman Mohammad Hafeez played an absolute brain-freezing shot to get dismissed. With defense being Pakistan’s most suited ally, Hafeez went for aggression and tried to pull Stuart Broad for a six.
However, the ball went straight into the hands of the fielder placed at fine leg. If Pakistan goes on to lose this test, Hafeez is bound to be aptly criticized. His already delirious tour of England has just worsened with this atrocious shot.
Ahead of the final day, England’s star batsman Joe Root stated that the hosts were the favorites to win the game. “It started off last night really, with the way Halesy and Cooky took the initiative and built that platform. It would have been very easy, if we’d lost a couple of wickets then, to feel under pressure going into today. We had to absorb a little bit of pressure this morning, me and Vincey — to get through that was really important. With any four-man attack, that’s what you look to do — take it deep,” said Root.
Below, is the video of Hafeez getting out early on the fifth day.
One down, nine to go… #EngvPak https://t.co/sYCPMpymHR
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 7, 2016