Pakistan end England winning streak
LONDON, Aug 21, 2010 (AFP) - Pakistan won the third Test here at The
Oval on Saturday beating England by four wickets - the hosts lead the
four match series 2-1.
Pakistan's victory was their fourth at The Oval - but only their
first over England since Lahore in December 2005 - and sets up a
mouthwatering contest next week at Lord's for the fourth and final test.
For England it meant the end of a run of six successive victories,
with their last loss to South Africa in Johannesburg in January.
Umar Akmal hit the winning single - to make it 148-6 - after Pakistan
had threatened to collapse and once again demonstrate their fragility.
He had steadied matters after his side had lost three wickets after
lunch but along with young pace bowler Mohammad Aamer saw them past the
winning post.
Chasing 148 to win the tourists had reached 115 for 3 at lunch with
veteran Mohammad Yousuf 22 not out and looked well set for an easy
victory.
England were given a glimmer of hope just before the break when
Graeme Swann had captain Salman Butt caught at slip for 48, to give him
his second wicket of the innings.
Swann blocked up one end with his off spin but at the other runs were
coming freely as Butt and Imran Farhat looking determined to finish
things early got Pakistan past 50 in the eight over after they had lost
opener Yasir Hameed to the fourth ball of the innings and the first he
had faced.
Pakistan were immediately put on the back foot when Hamed edged James
Anderson to second slip, Swann needed two attempts to hold on to the
chance and leave Pakistan 5 for 1.
Farhat made 33 before he was leg before to Swann, the only bowler who
gave captain Andrew Strauss any control whatsoever. Butt nearly saw his
team home, making his 48 runs from 64 balls but he was neatly caught by
Paul Collingwood, again off Swann, just before lunch.
Mohammad Aamer recorded his Test best figures of 5-52 to give
Pakistan a real chance of pulling one Test back in the series.
England who lost six wickets for 26 runs in a frenzied period on
Friday night could only add one run to their overnight total of 221 with
Steve Finn getting off the mark. They were looking to add at least
another 30 runs but Stuart Broad who made 48 in England's first innings
had a careless waft and was caught as the hosts failed to make the most
of Alastair Cook's 110.
This was Cook's first Test hundred of the summer after a barren spell
which had seen his place at the top of the order called into question.
But his 13th Test hundred has likely booked his place on the plane
for the tour of Australia this winter when England will be defending the
Ashes.
England were looking to retain their winning record this summer after
beating Bangladesh 2-0 earlier this season.
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