Signing off for today, here is Ali Martin’s report from Karachi:
Living the dream, 100 per cent
Rehan Ahmed is talking to Mike Atherton. A dream debut? “Yeah, 100 per cent,” he says, smiling and chewing gum.
“You did start to get that leg-spinner to go a bit,” Atherton says, “and therefore the wicket of Mohammad Rizwan would have pleased you a lot?”
“Yeah, 100 per cent,” he says again. “I’ve been working on that for the last two months. Just some side-spin.”
Back in the studio, Stuart Broad reiterates his point about the timing of that five-for. “It was a match-winning spell.”
Are you concerned about your position as a nighthawk, Ian Ward wonders. Broad plays along gamely. “The definition of a nighthawk isn’t necessarily how many runs you put on the board, it’s the style. My back foot wouldn’t go like that [when Rehan played his best stroke, the inside-out cover drive]. Strike rate above a hundred, that’s a tick. Getting out to a hack, that’s a tick.”
Time for me to sign off. I’m due back for the second half of tomorrow, but that will only happen if there’s a monsoon. England are in charge again, thanks to their new boy, and Jim Wallace will be with you at 5am (UK time) to see if they can seal the deal. Thanks for your company, correspondence and wisecracks about Geoff Boycott. And a happy Christmas! I hope it’s as much fun as watching this England.
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