England v Pakistan, 3rd Test, Day 1 - 5 Memorable Moments

Pakistan had a successful start to the 3rd Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham after they bowled out the hosts for a reasonable total of 296 at the end of day one. Their decision to field a right arm fast bowler for the first time paid off as Sohail Khan returned with his career-best figures of 5/69. Mohammad Amir yet again created chances but unlucky as his threat was cut down by Cook and Hales. However, After a brisk start, Sohail Khan with help for Rahat Ali and Yasir Shah quickly made inroads into the opposition batting order to put their team in a

1. England’s 500th Test:

The 2nd Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham was a special moment for England Cricket. England host Pakistan for it 500th test at home 136 years after hosting the first test on its home soil. The first Test they hosted was way back in September 1880 at The Oval when the Australians came touring the country. It was the beginning of England’s Test history. Test match was not common at that time and the match was called as a hastily organised game. But, the first test at home was sort of a burning fuel for the famous England – Australia rivalry that people continue to enjoy these days. The match saw the legendary WG grace make his Test debut and guide his team to victory scoring 152 on a rain-affected uncovered wicket.

2. Sohail Khan 2.0:

Right arm fast bowler Sohail Khan, playing his first Test in five years, claimed wonderful figures of 5/96 to help Pakistan gain early momentum in the match. The fast bowler who made his debut in 2009 last played for his side in 2011 and was since then in the oblivion before making his comeback in the limited overs side last year. The swinging condition helped greatly as he struck early, inducing an outside edge from Hales to end the brisk opening stand on 36. Shortly in his next over, accounted for Joe Root, getting him to edge to first slip. After a while, he came back to the attack and broke the James Vince’s 69-run fourth wicket stand with Ballance. He picked his fourth when Jonny Bairstow was caught behind and completed his five-wicket haul after James Anderson was trapped LBW.

3. James Vince and Gary Ballance keep Pakistan at bay:

Alastair Cook and Alex Hales gave a breezy start to the innings. The pair couldn’t flourish as hales lost his wicket soon. Problem’s thickened after last match’s hero Joe Root was also made to depart quickly. James Vince then joined Cook in the middle and both began to fight back. But, Cook’s resistance ended when Rahat Ali trapped him lbw with an inswinger. It was a huge blow. The skipper had made 45 of England’s 75 runs. But. James Vince and Gary Ballance kept Pakistan’s bowlers at bay for 7.4 overs as England went into lunch on a comfortable 100 for 3. Post lunch, Both Vince and Balance continued fluently and played some wonderful strokes. The pair added 69-run for the fourth-wicket stand before Vince lost his wicket.

Also read – ENG v PAK, 3rd Test, Day 1 Review: Sohail Khan puts Pakistan ahead

4. Gary Ballance finally among runs:

Gary Ballance was under a lot of criticism for his dry run of form in this series. He lost his wicket at crucial times to leave the spectators and pundits of the game very upset. After failing to face the challenge in the first Two Test, Ballance finally looked in his natural avatar. England was yet again in a tricky situation he arrived at the crease. There were high expectations and he did not quash them this time by staying in the middle and resisting the Pakistan bowling attack with a strokeful knock of 70 runs. His 4th wicket partnership with James Vince was the highlight of the first day’s play.

5. Moeen Ali rallies with tail enders:

Moeen Ali, just like his team-mate Gary Balance ended his dry run of form with the bat after he scored a wonderful 63 runs knock studded with 7 boundaries. After the fall of Vince, Ali acted the stable partner to the well-set Balance. Soon, Ballance was dismissed but Ali continued strongly forging small yet valuable stands with James Anderson and Steven Finn to take England to a respectable 297.

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