‘One of the greatest matches ever’ – Twitter praises England as they snatched victory against Pakistan on dead pitch of Rawalpindi

The first Test match between Pakistan and England was a historic one in the context of the Asian nation. After all, the Three Lions were playing Test cricket in Pakistan after 2005. However, the pitch curator at the Rawalpindi somehow dished out a flat surface. Not to forget, the same wicket was dished out against Australia in March this year. The game had ended in a dull draw.

Meanwhile, coming back to this game, the Ben Stokes-led side won the toss and elected to bat first. Notably, the team decided to bat like white-ball cricket. On the first day of the game, the team made history as they scored 506/4 with four batters scoring a hundred. On the next day, the team ended up getting 657 all-out with a run rate of more than six.

In reply, Pakistan openers, Imam Ul Haq and Abdullah Shafique took the team to 189/0 at the end of Day Two. On the next day, both players got to their hundreds and skipper Babar Azam also scored a hundred. Agha Salman scored a half-century and the team reached 579 all-out. After the first innings, England led by 78 runs. In the second innings, the visitors decided to carry the same tempo with the bat.

In just 35.5, England reached 264/7 and decided to declare the innings. In this innings, Zak Crawley, Joe Root, and Harry Brook scored quick fifties. After declaring the innings, they set the target of 343 runs with four sessions left in the game.

England bowled out Pakistan on a dead surface

While chasing 343, the home team lost two wickets for 25 runs on day four. Also, Azhar Ali got injured and couldn’t come out to bat for long. The likes of Imam Ul Haq and Saud Shakeel took the team to 80/2 at the end of the day. On the last day, Pakistan fought well and was looking alright after getting to 257/5 till the Tea break. However, the Three Lions took the rest of the wickets in the last session to win the game by 74 runs.

This is how Twitter reacted

No words. One of the greatest matches ever. Ben Stokes should become a SIR for that outstanding display of leadership & sportsmanship. Proud to be English. #ENGvPAK

— Fabian Cowdrey (@fkcowdrey) December 5, 2022

5 wickets is a lot to get in a session. The timing of declaration must be applauded. The rate of scoring from England have made all results possible on a pitch that doesn't deserve such exciting cricket. Just magnificent all results are possible. #ENGvPAK

— Monty Panesar (@MontyPanesar) December 5, 2022

https://twitter.com/SushantNMehta/status/1599730101381632001?s=20&t=8jJLNFlgTvSrN9_GZBjDtQ

https://twitter.com/IrfanPathan/status/1599732281568288768?s=20&t=g04OZ-iozV3kAVL3FQhtrA

A pitch like this and people are desperate to watch/hear how the last 2 sessions pan out. Surely that's what this is about #ENGvPAK

— Isa Guha (@isaguha) December 5, 2022

Pakistan Team never disappoints in giving thriller and entertaining match.#ENGvPAK

— Avinash Aryan (@AvinashArya09) December 5, 2022

England deserve this test win for making a brave call. Gutted for the kids at the ground watching their first ever test. Pakistan will need to get better come test 2. #ENGvPAK

— Adil Ray OBE (@adilray) December 5, 2022

If Pakistan managed to draw this test match it will be more embarrassing than a defeat. Defensive approach is the death of cricket. #ENGvPAK

— Shiraz Hassan (@ShirazHassan) December 5, 2022

https://twitter.com/SteelyDan66/status/1599743756034805763?s=20&t=g04OZ-iozV3kAVL3FQhtrA

If England go with their standard “let’s bang it in at the taileneders it will work this time” instead of line and length to debutant tailenders I might have a hernia #bbccricket #ENGvPAK #CricketTwitter

— Georgie Heath (@GeorgieHeath27) December 5, 2022