Related Links : Pakistan in England 2006 : Scorecard
Inzamam-ul-Haq scored his 9th consecutive half century against England to secure a draw in the first Test at Lord’s. England failed in their mission of bowling out Pakistan with the bowlers struggling to produce the magic deliveries. Monty Panesar and Matthew Hoggard picked up a couple of wickets each but England fell short of enough time in hand to take the 10 wickets as they had wasted much time in batting in their second innings which was only declared today morning. Pakistan were left to bat out for 80 overs and with 7 overs left in the play, England gave up hope with Pakistan still having six wickets in hand.
The Tale of the Morning Session
As expected, England prolonged its second innings much to the happiness of the Pakistani camp. England finally declared its second innings after Plunkett’s dismissal. The overnight pair of Plunkett and Hoggard had added up 38 more runs, but they had wasted almost 8 overs to end up at a lead of 379.
The target for Pakistan was out of reach at 380 to get from 80 overs and the only option left was to bat out the day for the draw. England’s hopes of winning this Test Match increased when Matthew Hoggard produced a perfect inswinger to trap Salman Butt right in front of the stumps with the very first ball of the innings. That wicket pumped up the English players and they had to now break the pair of the inexperienced Imran Farhat and Faisal Iqbal. It was only matter of time before the flashy Imran Farhat threw his wicket away after playing a couple of glorious strokes. And the left hander fell after making 18 in the 13th over playing a flamboyant shot outside off stump to give Hoggard his 2nd wicket. Mohammad Yousuf, the double centurion in the first innings paired up with Faisal Iqbal to see Pakistan to Lunch at 43 for 2 after 16 overs.
The Tale of the Afternoon Session
After lunch, the English bowlers found absolutely no joy with Faisal Iqbal determined to score some runs after his first innings duck and Mohammad Yousuf was showing his experience at the other end in sticking to the wicket. The result was a valuable partnership of 83 runs which lasted for over 20 runs with the end coming through an lbw decision that of Mohammad Yousuf’s. It was Monty Panesar, who could provide the breakthrough as Yousuf padded up to his flatter delivery infront of middle stump and that ball didn’t have any turn and was heading towards the stumps. Yousuf was out for a well made 48, which had 8 fours and he was followed back to the pavilion after a while by Faisal Iqbal, who was also out for the same score of 48. Monty Panesar had got the ball to turn and take the outside edge in Faisal Iqbal’s defence and it was a nice low catch taken by Alastair Cook at gully. The responsibility was now on the two experienced cricketers Inzamam-ul-Haq and Abdul Razzaq in keeping the English bowlers at bay. The ball was turning and Monty Panesar managed to put the pressure on even Inzamam but Pakistan did not lose any wicket and went to Tea at 151 for 4.
The Tale of the Final Session
It was a tough task for England as they had to take six wickets in the 32 overs left in the match. They had to bring back Steve Harmison for one final burst and he bowled along with Monty Panesar. After tea, Inzamam’s approach was different and he was moving his feet in a positive fashion and the bowlers did not look anyway threatening. Inzy was getting the right support from Abdul Razzaq who was playing according to the merit of the bowling and after trying everything, England decided to give up with still 7 overs left. Inzamam remained unbeaten on 56 having survived 112 balls and Razzaq did a tremendous job in facing 91 balls and he had made 25 not out. Mohammad Yousuf for his double century in the first innings was rightly awarded as the Man of the Match and now the two sides meet again on the 27th at Old Trafford, Manchester for the 2nd Test Match.