England trounce Pakistan by 74 runs to level series
England on Tuesday levelled the three-match series 1-1 by thrashing Pakistan by 74 runs in the second Test in Rawalpindi.
England, resuming at their overnight score of 264-7, added 20 runs to their total before declaring on 284-10, setting Pakistan a mammoth 343-run target.
Pakistan, in reply, were bowled out for 268 in 74.3 overs, with Saud Shakeel top-scoring with 76 and Mohammad Rizwan making 46.
James Anderson was the pick of the England bowlers, taking 4-36, while Ollie Robinson and Mark Wood claimed three wickets each.
The result means that the series is now evenly poised at 1-1, with the third and final Test set to be played in Karachi from December 17-21.
Here is a summary of the match:
- England won the toss and elected to bat first.
- England were bowled out for 284 in their first innings.
- Pakistan were bowled out for 268 in their first innings.
- James Anderson was the pick of the England bowlers, taking 4-36.
- The result means that the series is now evenly poised at 1-1.
Reaction:
"It was a great performance from the whole team," said England captain Ben Stokes. "We showed great character to come back from the defeat in the first Test and level the series.
"We knew that we needed to bat well in the first innings and set Pakistan a big target, and we did that," said Pakistan captain Babar Azam. "But we didn't bat well in our second innings and we paid the price."
Conclusion:
The second Test between England and Pakistan was a thrilling contest that went down to the wire. In the end, England's superior bowling attack proved to be the difference, as they bowled Pakistan out for 268 to level the series 1-1.
The third and final Test will be played in Karachi from December 17-21, and it promises to be another close-fought contest.
