Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq has hailed the 75 runs wins over England as one of the finest victories of his captaincy career. Chasing 283 to win, the hosts never recovered from a top-order collapse and were bundled for 207 runs to give Pakistan a lead of 1-0 in the four-match Test series. The famous victory came at the same venue where the spot-fixing case unfolded 6 years ago in 2010, and Mohammad Amir, who was one of the players involved in that scandal, fittingly applied the coup de grace, bowling Jake Ball to help Pakistan claim one of their finest victories in Test matches.
“It’s been a remarkable turnaround after the 2010 incident,” Misbah said at the post-match presentation on Sunday (July 17). “The team took real responsibility and these players showed a lot of respect for the game, fought throughout the six years and brought plenty of wins. Their on and off the field disciplines are really good and winning against a top side, who are really good in their home conditions, speaks volumes for this team and for all the players,” the skipper added.
Misbah, who was playing his first Test at the Mecca of cricket, was one of the star performers in the test. After that, the team was reduced to 77 for 3 in the first innings, he led from the front and scored a memorable 114 to take his team to 339. He heaped praise on leg-spinner Yasir Shah who playing his first Test outside Asia took a career-best 10 wickets for 141 in the match. The skipper said that Yasir’s presence in the team gave them the confidence to go all the way against the hosts.
“It is one of the top wins as a captain and as a Pakistan team. I’m really proud of the team, everybody fought and came out with really good skills. Especially today, mentally everyone was strong. Yasir Shah in first and second innings and the fast bowlers bowled really well. Overall it was a good win for us.”
“We always believe that if we cross 300 we have a chance, especially in the first innings, because we have a top spinner. And in the fourth innings when the pitch dries up they can put pressure on the opposition, the quicks are so good with reverse swing, and they can make it really difficult. They proved it today.”
Talking about Mohammad Amir, who was making a comeback to Test cricket after serving a ban for five years, Misbah said that the pacer can start his career afresh.
“He’s part of the team that has won the Test match, it will be one of the memorable days of his life and from here he can start his career again. He’s a good kid now, he’s a mature cricketer and he can prove to everyone that he’s a good bowler.”
The second Test will start on July 22 at Old Trafford.