England all-rounder Chris Woakes (84*) and wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler (75) etched their name in history books as the pair guided the hosts to register one of the most memorable Test victories at Old Trafford in Manchester against Pakistan.
At one stage, Pakistan were at the top in the game as they dismissed five England batmen for just 117 during the home team’s chase of 277. But, Woakes and Buttler added a match-winning 139-run partnership and took the game away from Pakistan, forcing the tourists to experience a gut-wrenching defeat.
Yasir Shah first dismissed Buttler, and then he sent Stuart Broad back to the hut. His efforts went in vain as the Joe Root-led side successfully chased down the total in the end.
WHAT A COMEBACK!!! 🏴
Scorecard/Clips: https://t.co/bmojF1zW06#ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/vRInnhfvqC
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 8, 2020
Earlier, Pakistan started Day 4 with their score reading 137-8. The visitors added crucial 32 runs off 16 balls, thanks to Yasir Shah, who came out all guns blazing to help his side add valuable runs.
In reply, England started their chase by losing the wicket of opener Rory Burns (10) early. Skipper Root (42) and Dom Sibley (36), meanwhile, kept Pakistan restless and added a 64-run stand before Yasir came for rescue. Yasir applied a smart tactic to change the angle and went round the wicket, which helped him in picking the prized wicket of Sibley.
Naseem Shah then dismissed Root, who edged a lifting delivery to first slip, followed by Yasir claiming another wicket and this time of Ben Stokes (9). The England all-rounder couldn’t keep himself out of a googly bouncing at him from the rough and gloved it to the keeper. As if the trouble wasn’t enough, middle-order batsman Ollie Pope (7) was sent back to the pavilion by Shaheen Afridi with a peach of a delivery.
Well, it’s now a second occasion in the history of English cricket when they chased down a total after the fall of the fifth wicket.
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
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Yes boys what a win!
— Jason Roy (@JasonRoy20) August 8, 2020
This is why Test cricket is the best!
Was convinced it was Pakistan’s game with 5 wickets to get.
But what a great counter attack by #Woakes & @josbuttler 👏🏽
Post tea felt the strategy, not back Yasir & Shaheen maybe lost Pak the game?#ENGvPAK— Saiyami Kher (@SaiyamiKher) August 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/hershybru/status/1292152243689594881
What a match..!!!! Test cricket at his very very best👍👍👍👍 brilliant knock by josh and woakes – MR15 pic.twitter.com/DAYoKVBV0y
— Mushfiqur Rahim (@mushfiqur15) August 8, 2020
A rare rare 4 th innings chase. Well done England. 👏👏 #ENGvsPAK
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) August 8, 2020
Wow! Woakes!
Matched Buttler stroke for stroke, plus has more than 100 Tests wickets & four 5 wicket hauls.👏👏👏— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) August 8, 2020
England takes 1-0 lead in the three-match series#ENGvsPAK pic.twitter.com/5Tw9QUtqnC
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) August 8, 2020
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!!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) August 8, 2020
This is England's 10th highest successful run chase & also their 6th highest successful run chase at home in Test cricket.
England has been set a target of 275+ on 164 occasions – Won 10, Lost 103, Drawn 51
At Old Trafford, England has Won 2, Lost 7, drawn 2#ENGvPAK #ENGvsPAK— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) August 8, 2020
Unbelievable #ENGvsPAK
— Shikha Pandey (@shikhashauny) August 8, 2020
Test Cricket, even in the bubble is still great theater. You can't undervalue the character with which England achieved that win, from 117-5. Im sure back stronger nezt week. Stay "Woakes" everyone.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) August 8, 2020
In the first innings, England lost top order 3 wickets for less than 15 and in second innings half the side was gone before 120. Chase of 277 against this quality Pakistan attack means they showed better fighting qualities than Pak. #ENGvPAK #PakvsEng #TestCricket
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) August 8, 2020
What Pak missed today,England had in abundance. Self-belief, character, skill and match winners like Buttler & Woakes. Top effort to bounce back from conceding a 107-run lead in the 1st innings & being 117/5 battling last under pressure. You've got to love test cricket!#ENGvsPAK
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) August 8, 2020
Congratulations to @englandcricket – they were brilliant,a proper counter attack by Buttler and Woakes and Pakistan let it slip,despite having a lead of over a 100 runs.. #ENGvsPAK
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) August 8, 2020
Congratulations team @ECB_cricket Well played @chriswoakes & @josbuttler
Not the result we wanted for our team @TheRealPCB but they put in their best. Well played @shani_official and well bowled @Shah64Y #PAKvENG #TestCricket— Junaid khan 83 (@JunaidkhanREAL) August 8, 2020
Very good test victory for England, Pakistan will learn from this, had their chance early in the Buttler/Woakes p'ship but failed tighten the screws. Woakes must play every test from this point on, time to back him all the way! #ENGvsPAK
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) August 8, 2020
Well done #England 👏 Helluva test match #EngvPak Loved the drama… loved the theatre 👍 #testcricketgolden @ECB_cricket @TheRealPCB
— Danny Morrison (@SteelyDan66) August 8, 2020
