Another successful day for this enterprising England outfit...
Some similarities to the earlier games. Once the fifth Pakistan wicket fell it was clear the end was always coming soon. The Babar/Shakeel partnership had held England up for quite a while ; but there was always a suspicion that one would bring two or three... Many thought Stokes should have introduced young Ahmed sooner - and maybe he should ? - but the way the timing worked renders any such claims a bit meaningless. Young English wrist spinner bags a five on debut
The first wicket was a right bit of filth saved by a Babar error and a fine Pope catch - but the next (Rizwan) was just a great piece of bowling ... and it was on the cards that he'd bag five from there as the innings fell apart. Hope people don't expect him to do it every week now - but it is a start that could only have been dreamed about - and another tick for the Stokes/McCullum approach , to take the opportunity to blood the young talent at the perfect time. Whatever he does in the meantime , Rehan Ahmed on the tour of India next year should be an interesting watch.
A word for Wood too : the spinners got the wickets ; but his unrelenting pressure had a bit to do with keeping Pakistan under control and eventually making their errors. A very committed effort in unhelpful conditions - he gave it full throttle all the way - thankfully without any apparent ill effects -and can be wrapped in cotton wool now for a month or so.
Like the way they went about the chase : Crawley and Duckett are maybe not the natural successors to Strauss and Cook but this sort of game plan suits them very well. Got a bit silly towards end of day as it was clear the light was never going to allow a finish ; but only a victory lap left for this afternoon.
Pity Azhar signs off with a duck. After the honour guard reception and all , emotional no doubt. Rather Bradman-esque... But a fine career and Pakistan will miss him