English Desert Safari Begins On A Disastrous Note

England Vs Pakistan 1^st Test Match

Fantastic bowling by Pakistani off-spinner Saeed Ajmal devastated England team in the 1^st Innings of their 1^st match being played at Dubai Sports City Cricket Stadium, Dubai. Saeed Ajmal took 7 wickets giving away just 55 runs in 24.3 over(s). He was like a man on a mission and England could manage just 192 runs in their 1^st innings. At the end of days play Pakistan were 42/0 with both the opening batsmen Mohammed Hafeez 22(49) and Taufeeq Umar 18(42) unbeaten at the crease.

It was a good start for Pakistan in the current 3 Test Cricket Series being played in United Arab Emirates. Matt Prior 70(154) not out was the only English batsmen who displayed good cricketing skills and tried to hold things together at one end. However wickets kept tumbling at the other end. Eventually the English team was all out in the 73^rd over. Graeme Swann also played a useful knock of 34 run(s) of 65 ball(s). Swann and Prior put together a 57 runs partnership, for the 8^th wicket. This was the best partnership for England in this game so far. Almost all the Pakistani bowlers bowled a well displaying a disciplined tight line and length bowling.

Now it needs to be seen how things pan out for English bowlers on Day 2. Will Graeme Swann be able to do what Saeed Ajmal did for Pakistan? The Pitch does look supportive for spin bowling. However it would depend on the English bowlers they can extract some pace and bounce from it.

Overall it was a good day for Pakistan team; they now trail By 150 runs and will be hoping to bat well in order to take a big lead in the 1st innings. Pick of the day would definitely be Saeed Ajmal for his 7/55. An interesting fact about him is, at 30 years and 9 months, Saeed Ajmal became the 6th oldest debutant for Pakistan.

Other Matches Around The World:

3rd ODI Sri Lanka Vs South Africa

Venue: Chevrolet Park, Bloemfontein, South Africa

Sri Lanka won the toss & elected to bat

Sri Lanka: 266/9 (50) @ RR:5.32 

SA: 179/5 (34) @ RR: 5.26 

Result: South Africa Won by 4 Run(s) ( D/L Method, Rain Stoppage.)