Friday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium stirred the senses for all but those foolish enough to be bowlers in these parts. After lunchtime prayers the ground filled up and, in the face of a mountain of runs plundered by England, Pakistan offered a reply that had the locals in raptures and underlined the importance of international cricket’s return.
The challenge of claiming 20 wickets on this pitch was also crystal clear by the close. Pakistan reached 181 for no loss from 51 overs after England’s 657 all out from 101, openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique striding off unbeaten on 90 and 89 respectively. It wasn’t the wild ride that saw their guests become the first Test side to go at more than six an over in a first innings, but still a relative cruise.
