ENG VS PAK - 1st Test, Pakistan tour of England, 2020

So England break their streak of going winless in the first Test of a series in quite dramatic fashion. Not sure how badly this loss will affect Pakistan. They must wonder that if what they gave in this Test wasn't enough, then what will be? That's it from us for now. It's a goodbye from Sagar Chawla on behalf of Nikhil Jadhav, Rishi Roy, Pradeep Krishnamurthy and Siva.

Chris Woakes | Man of the Match | [2/43, 2/11; 19, 84*]: I think that was the way to go on the wicket, just counterattack. Especially the ball Ollie got, we took initiative by scoring quickly and thought that was the way to go on that surface. The idea of taking it to them, counterattacking was the right thing to do - perfect thing to do. And to see Jos do his thing was incredible, and unfortunately he got out. He is one of the best white-ball players in the world, one of the best run-chasers, and he showed it today with all his inventive sweeps and reverse-sweeps, especially the way he handled the spinners. I don't think I have lacked in training with my batting form, and thankfully I focussed on the ball today and managed to hit it. Very pleasing to pick up the big wickets too, and I feel really good with the ball. Hopefully that will continue. 

Joe Root | England captain: This was a brilliant chase. Credit to Pakistan for some brilliant cricket, and the way we approached the day, and the partnership between Woakesy and Jos Buttler was fantastic. We knew it was going to take something special, and after last summer, it's really hard to stop believing. That's one strong trait of ours, that we have a lot of self-belief, so I'm really proud of them. To be able to play as well as he did, it shows Buttler's character. It made sure that the new ball wasn't a factor, since he attacked the spinners. It has been frustrating to lose the 1st Test of the series all the time, but I couldn't be more proud of the character of the guys.

Azhar Ali | Pakistan captain: Disappointing to be at the wrong end of it. Credit to Buttler, for taking the game on when we were comfortable and suddenly the pitch did nothing. They changed the momentum of the game and we had no reply. I give credit to the partnership between Woakes and Buttler, and it's tough to keep the boundaries dry. You have to give credit to the opposition. This one is not far behind Ben Stokes innings against Australia because it was a tough situation. If this was played in a packed house, it would have been more enjoyable, but at least people watching these games on TV would be entertained. It surprised me that there was no reverse-swing despite the ball being in good shape. We were patient and believed that we would get some reverse swing. We were rewarded with wickets for our discipline, but that partnership changed it all. We had the opportunity to bat England out of the game in the 2nd innings, but I think that's where we lost the game. Especially run-outs in Tests are unforgivable - a crime. This total was enough but we just weren't good enough this time.

Most runs by England in a successful run chase since the fall of 5th wicket
215 vs Aus The Oval 1902
160 vs Pak Manchester 2020*
129 vs SA Joburg 1909/10
122 vs NZ Trent Bridge 2004
120 vs Aus Melbourne 1907/08

Results in Pakistan's last seven Tests outside Pak/UAE
Lost by inngs & 55 runs vs Eng, Leeds
Lost by six wkts vs SA, Centurion
Lost by nine wkts vs SA, Cape Town
Lost by 107 runs vs SA, Joburg
Lost by inngs & 5 runs vs Aus, Brisbane
Lost by inngs & 48 runs vs Aus, Adelaide
Lost by three wkts vs Eng, Manchester*

Highest 1st inngs leads for Pak ending in defeats
331 vs Eng Oval 2006 (forfeit)
206 vs Aus Sydney 2009/10
144 vs NZ Christchurch 1993/94
133 vs Aus Melbourne 1972/73
110 vs SL Faisalabad 1995/96
107 vs Eng Manchester 2020*

To be fair, it's hard to fault Pakistan's bowling effort, even when that sensational sixth-wicket partnerhship was flourishing. They didn't bowl badly or anything. The pitch kind of eased out as the ball went softer, which sustained Buttler and Woakes's counter-punch. Or maybe it's just that the risks taken by the duo came off today. Either way, It was a terrific counter-punch which didn't witness a single maiden over across 32 overs during their 139-run alliance. How sweet must this performance taste for Buttler, who's been in the firing line for his performances with the gloves and the bat. But the signs of him turning it around have been there, at least with the bat. Got a fifty in the third Test against West Indies, did well in the first innings here and now this to lift the weight off his shoulders.

Harsha Bhogle: Brilliant from Buttler and Woakes. Had the skill but it was the attitude that took them home. And with 70 left the opposing captain was looking like the game was lost!!

18:32 Local Time, 17:32 GMT, 23:02 IST: A famous come-from-behind win for England, a gut-wrenching defeat for Pakistan. Just think of the situations they've been in where the game looked as good as done. A first-innings lead of 100-plus yesterday, then having England reeling at 117/5 in the chase today. But they've lacked that killer blow. A wretched third innings performance kept England in the game, before the heroic stand between the under-fire Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes pulled off the unlikely.

Shaheen Afridi to Woakes, FOUR, the edge flies between second slip and gully. England have done it. It's full across middle from Afridi, Woakes doesn't have much clue about which way it's going as he drives down the ground, but it splits the cordon perfectly. What a Test match we've had

Phew. If they can get one more here. Especially Woakes.

Yasir Shah to Dom Bess, no run, overpitched outside off, driven to short cover

Yasir Shah to Dom Bess, no run, almost wanted to leave this, but ended up guiding to second slip. On the bounce

Yasir Shah to Dom Bess, no run, hits the pads, but the appeal doesn't have the sting in it. Here's why - Bess has smashed it onto his pad

Yasir Shah to Dom Bess, no run, flat at the stumps, blocked

Dominic Bess, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Two slips and a short leg. Four runs, three wickets. Watch out for the one sliding on, especially with this new ball

Yasir Shah to Broad, out Lbw!! There's more to come. There's still some fight in Pakistan. Yasir makes sure there is. Flights it up on middle, it's too full for Broad to be sweeping but he goes for it anyway and perishes leg-before. Even he doesn't think it's worth reviewing. Broad lbw b Yasir Shah 7(9) [4s-1]

Yasir Shah to Broad, THATS OUT!! Lbw!!

Yasir Shah to Woakes, 1 run, short outside off, slapped to sweeper cover

Pakistan will stick with Yasir

Shaheen Afridi to Woakes, 1 run, short ball across off, pulled imperiously to deep midwicket