It was a rematch that was six years in the making. At last, Pakistan would get the opportunity to correct their misdeeds of the past, as Misbah’s men embarked on their highly anticipated tour of England for what promised to be a grueling series and their toughest examination to-date.
There was quiet but determined optimism in the Pakistani camp. Having fortified their temporary abode in the UAE – where they have not lost a series since Misbah took over in November 2010 – their overseas credentials were still up for debate. A 3-0 whitewash on the tour of South Africa back in 2013 suggested that this Pakistan team would not be able to cope in alien, seamer-friendly conditions. Alastair Cook’s English side also had an objective firmly in their sights – a series victory over all nine Test nations – having been beaten comfortably in the UAE by Pakistan in 2012 & 2015. Australia and India had been trounced in recent English summers, and Cook’s men were heavily favored to dish out a thrashing and a half to Pakistan too. The return of L’enfant terrible Mohammad Amir to English shores also provided an interesting subplot to a contest that had already been acrimonious in the past.
The hostilities began at Lord’s, with Pakistan batting first and predictably falling into the mire. Like he has done countless times before, it was the skipper Misbah-ul-Haq who took command and guided Pakistan through choppy waters. A 148-run stand with Asad Shafiq put Pakistan in a commanding position, with Misbah stroking a memorable 114 to bring up his 10th Test ton. England in response were unraveled by their adventurous strokeplay against the bewitching legspin of Yasir Shah, and fell behind in the game. All went according to plan for Pakistan as England were shot out for 207 chasing 283 on the 4th day, a famous Pakistan victory marked with a memorable 10 press-ups victory celebration in tribute to the Army training camp they had attended before embarking on tour.
The 2nd Test at Old Trafford was an entirely different affair. England captain Cook & boy wonder Joe Root put on a batting masterclass, their mammoth 185-run partnership setting up a huge first innings score of 589 declared. Root especially showed tremendous discipline against spin and sheer brutality against the wayward Pakistani seamers on his way to a mammoth personal best of 254. The Pakistani batting lineup expectedly fell apart with only Misbah offering some brief resistance. England marched to a whopping 330-run victory, with all-rounder Chris Woakes continuing his imperious form with the ball, picking up 7 wickets in the Test.
The 3rd Test at Birmingham saw a reconfigured Pakistan bowling attack, with Wahab Riaz making way for Sohail Khan, the latter making a return to Test cricket after five years in the wilderness. Sohail made an immediate impact, picking up a maiden 5-wicket haul as England were bundled out for 297 on the first day. Pakistan looked in complete control with newly inducted left-hand opener Sami Aslam and Azhar Ali putting on a 181-run stand for the 2ndwicket, Azhar bringing up a well-deserved century late on Day 2.
It all unraveled quickly though as Pakistan gave away their dominant position in the game, crashing from 257-3 to be bundled out for 400. England’s opening pair made short work of the Pakistan’s lead, and punished Pakistan for not putting the game out of their reach. Four English batsmen made fifties as they piled on 445 in the 3rd innings, Pakistan left with no choice but to bat 84 overs on the last day to save the game.
A draw seemed inevitable when Pakistan were sitting pretty at 69/1 at Lunch, but it all came undone in dramatic fashion. An inspired spell of rapid reverse swing bowling saw Pakistan’s middle order obliterated in a matter of minutes by Finn and Woakes, as Pakistan slumped to ignominious defeat after being so far ahead in the game. A crushing and, many thought, a definitive blow to the touring team’s hopes for the tour.
The final round of this epic bout was to be played at the Oval, with England once again batting first on a greenish pitch with healthy pace and bounce. Wahab Riaz returned to the side and to the venue where he had made his Test debut, and made it count with a quick 3-wicket burst that left England tottering on the brink at 110-5. England’s lower order rose to the challenge with Bairstow, Woakes and Moeen Ali counter-attacking with panache and style, the latter bringing up a scintillating hundred to take England past 300. Sohail Khan once again picked up 5 wickets to bowl England out for 328, as Pakistan looked to bat once and bat well on a perfect batting strip.
Struggling to deal with the pace and movement of the English bowlers in the series so far, the stage was now set for Pakistan’s main man Younis Khan to stand up and be counted, and he duly delivered. Shafiq was promoted up the order and produced a sparkling knock of 109, but it was the old sage Younis Khan who truly put the hapless English bowlers to the sword. His timely knock of 218 off just 308 deliveries, marked with flowing drives against the English quicks and towering big hits against spin made sure that Pakistan did not repeat the errors made at Birmingham and took a daunting 214 run lead.This time, however, the English would not be able to hold Pakistan back, as Yasir Shah weaved his web and tied England in knots once again. Bairstow once again fought admirably till the very end, but Yasir Shah’s 5-fer and an inspired spell after lunch from Wahab Riaz made sure that England would not escape their fate. Pakistan were left with a paltry 40 run target to chase, which they duly knocked off in no time to win the Test and draw the series 2-all. A famous victory sealed on 14th August, Pakistan’s Independence Day.
For Misbah and his Pakistan side, it is an achievement that has well and truly silenced the critics forever. Under his calm and assured leadership, his charges have delivered in the most testing of conditions, in the most hostile of environments and against the most challenging of opponents. An arduous journey that had started six long years ago, from the ruins of defeat and depths of despair, had finally come to a glorious end. His personal legend long since assured, it will now be written brightly and boldly in gold.
Pakistan had reached her Zion and was singing her redemption song.
(This article was first published on August 15, 2016 at: http://cricwizz.com/six-years-on-pakistan-sing-the-redemption-song/)
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