(MENAFN- Tribal News Network) LONDON: Pakistan beat England on Sunday by nine wickets on the fourth day of the first Test at Lord's. Optimism provided by Jos Buttler and Dom Bess on the third evening was dashed by the eighth delivery of the day, when Buttler was trapped lbw by Mohammad Abbas for 67. That began a collapse of four wickets for six runs, leaving England 242 all out and Pakistan chasing only 64 to win.
Although James Anderson bowled Azhar Ali in the third over, Haris Sohail and Imam
Haq shared an unbroken stand of 54 that sealed victory 90 minutes into the day. For Pakistan, this is a wonderful result, their thorough preparation leading to a superiority over the hosts in all aspects of the game.
They will have the opportunity to seal their first series win in England since 1996 when the second and final Test begins at Headingley on Friday.
In slipping to 110-6 on the third afternoon, still 179 behind, England were heading for humiliation before Buttler and Bess came together.
Their century stand took the hosts to 235-6 and they resumed on Sunday with a lead of 59, a remarkable comeback still possible if the lower order could add perhaps another 100 runs.
Instead, Buttler was pinned in front by Abbas and, with a review unable to save him, England's hopes disappeared. Pakistan took the second new ball in the next over and the tail was mopped up by Abbas and Mohammad Amir.
Amir angled one across Mark Wood to find the edge and Stuart Broad poked at Abbas. Both were taken by wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed.
When Bess, so impressive in making 57, lost his off stump to Amir, England had lost their last four wickets in the space of 18 balls.
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