Shah is mobbed by his team-mates after leading Pakistan to victory
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
England were six and a half overs away from saving the second Test in Dubai, but Pakistan spinner Yasir Shah wouldn’t let that happen as he took four wickets to lead his side to a 178-run win.
Starting out the day on 130/3, England began to collapse once they lost Joe Root for 71 as they went from 157/4 to 193/7.
However, spinner Adil Rashid refused to go down without a fight and amassed a 60-run partnership with Stuart Broad and a 55-run stand with Mark Wood once Broad was back in the pavilion. But, despite his valiant efforts, Rashid was unable to be England’s saviour as he was caught by Zulfiqar Babar in the covers off the bowling of Shah.
Rashid’s career-best innings of 61 came off 172 balls and included seven boundaries.
Rashid made a gutsy 61
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Shah ended up being the pick of the bowlers with four wickets, while Babar snapped up three, Imran Khan took two and Wahab Riaz claimed one.
England captain Alastair Cook was gutted to have come so close to saving the match, and said: “That morning on day three has really cost us. In these conditions you can’t afford those two or three hours. But the character we showed today … they are a fantastic bunch of guys who refused to buckle. The innings Adil played, he’ll take a lot from that. It was disappointing he couldn’t get over the line but if we’d all faced six or ten balls more we would have done it. I’m very proud of my fitness record. Jimmy Anderson told me to drink a glass of cement to toughen up.”
Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq praised his side for their superb performance, and said: “You have to give credit to the opposition when the ball is turning and two really good spinners are bowling. They showed really good character today. Our spinners bowled well, especially under pressure. Whenever we needed a breakthrough they held their nerve.”
Riaz was named Man of the Match, and said: “I always try to do good and perform for my country. My team-mates are always behind me and let me know what ability I have. The spell [in the World Cup] against Watson gave me a lot of confidence.”