Twitter Reactions: England's bold declaration sets up thrilling final day
Pakistan still need 263 runs to win the game on the final day.
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The fourth day of the ongoing first Test match between hosts Pakistan and England in Rawalpindi moved at a rapid pace, making for an enthralling finish to the series opener on the fifth and final day. The day started with England struggling to dislodge the Pakistani tail, which wagged for more than an hour in the morning session. By the time the hosts were bowled out, they had eaten up a major chunk of England's total, handing the visitors a 78-run lead. Will Jacks was the star of the show with a six-wicket haul on debut on a flat track that did not have much to offer for the bowlers.
Despite a considerable amount of time still left in the Test match, England persisted with their exuberant approach with the bat in the second innings. First innings' centurion Ben Duckett was removed for a golden duck on the second delivery of the England innings. But that did not perturb the English batters as they continued with their attacking intent at the crease.
Ollie Pope was next to perish after a brisk cameo as Ben Stokes' men kept looking for boundaries. The Pakistani bowlers were frustrated by the pair of Joe Root and Harry Brook, who were finding the fence at will. Root even switched to being a left-handed batter for a while to tackle Pakistan's spin-bowling threat.
Harry Brook dazzled before Stokes' bold declaration
While Root played a flawless knock of 73 runs off just 69 deliveries, it was the young Harry Brook, who captivated spectators at the Pindi stadium with his eye-catching shots. The prodigious batter, fresh off his stellar century in the first innings, was en route to another trailblazing ton before being dismissed for a 87-run innings. His dismissal prompted a bold declaration from Ben Stokes, who dangled the proverbial carrot in front of the hosts, setting them a chaseable target of 343 runs.
Pakistan started the chase cautiously but lost Abdullah Shafique in the fifth over. Things got worse for the home side as Azhar Ali walked off the field in the same over due to an injury after the ball had struck his glove. The incoming Babar Azam looked in sublime touch before his opposite number Ben Stokes sent him packing with a short delivery in the very next over.
Babar's dismissal was a body blow for the hosts, who survived a nervy last few overs before bad light put a halt to the proceedings on the fourth day of the series opener. Pakistan still need 263 runs to win the game, while England will be eyeing a famous victory on an exciting fifth day of the series opener.
Here is how Twitter reacted to a fast-moving day of Test cricket in Rawalpindi:
We have declared and set Pakistan a target of 343 to win.
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 4, 2022
Here for a result. Here to entertain.
🇵🇰 #PAKvENG 🏴 pic.twitter.com/6GDH4XrWkl
Commendable approach from @ECB_cricket to play in such progressive fashion right from 1st over of the match. 5th day of the match wil be most interesting with all 3 possible results. Bravo 👏🏼 #PAKvENG
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) December 4, 2022
Hadn’t thought that deeply about it. No narrative. Just fact of how Stokesy & Baz think & act. Want to win. Draws are boring. Happy to risk losing for a chance of winning. I’m in. I love it. https://t.co/GsJXTNkdht
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) December 4, 2022
I've seen a few things but what JOE ROOT just did in a test match is definitely a first for me
— DK (@DineshKarthik) December 4, 2022
I've only heard Sunil Gavaskar has done this in domestic cricket once
The game is changing in every format and players are willing to keep adapting in every way possible.#ENGvPAK
England doing to Pakistan what Pakistan used to do to many teams on flat wickets .. No swing , No seam , No pace in the deck .. so bowl short .. Exactly what’s Batters dislike on these pitches .. Great tactics .. #PAKvENG
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 4, 2022
Gotta say, this has been pretty great to watch.#PAKvsENG #aggression #tryingtowineverytime
— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) December 4, 2022
Assistant Coach Paul Collingwood — "England has not travelled to Pakistan to draw the test matches. We are not scared of loosing matches." #PAKvENG
— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) December 4, 2022
Ollie Robinson enjoyed taking the wicket of Abdullah Shafique earlier 😤💪#PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/v5XthrG772
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 4, 2022
All three results are possible now at the end of the day 4 courtesy to a bold declaration by England.
— Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) December 4, 2022
Pakistan need 263 runs with 8 wickets in hand. What are your predictions?#PAKvENG #UnitedWeWin pic.twitter.com/BPj1yYjXdG
The smile says it all 😀🖐
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 4, 2022
🇵🇰 #PAKvENG 🏴 pic.twitter.com/tf9BeeiVqv
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