The third test at Headingley provided lots of action and plenty more talking point too. Pakistan remained competitive for the first four days despite several incidents not going their way. However, the fifth day was a different story altogether as England clinched the series.

After the annihilation at Old Trafford, no one expected Pakistan to come out the way they did. So much so that even the umpires were awestruck as they failed to detect no less than three inside edges. England, batting first, had a good opening stand before a spirited Pakistan side struck twice. Alastair Cook also followed before lunch. However, the umpires had played their role by then. England’s three of the top four got let-offs from the umpires, Darrell Hair and Billy Doctrove – the two umpires who have a history of inflicting poor decisions on Pakistan. Kevin Pietersen (135) made the most of his reprieve as he attacked the Pakistani bowlers. Ian Bell also (119) racked up his third consecutive test century. Pakistan, eager for a series-levelling win, were frustrated even more as Harmison and Sajid Mahmood added 56 rapid runs for the ninth wicket. England finished on a strong 515 while Umar Gul (5/123) got his second five-wicket haul in tests.

In reply, Pakistan having changed both the openers, expected to start well. There were signs of that before Taufiq Umar and Salman Butt fell to poor judgements. Once again, Younis Khan and Mohammed Yousuf combined to get Pakistan in a strong position. Exquisite timing and elegant drives were the highlights of the marathon 363-run partnership as Pakistan maintained a good run-rate. Yousuf then fell for 192. Soon after, disaster struck Pakistan. Inzamam called Younis for a tight single which ended in the latter’s run-out for 173. Faisal Iqbal fell LBW first-ball, giving Paul Collingwood his first test wicket. Then the big man, Inzamam, failed to keep his balance trying to sweep Monty Panesar. While doing so, he trod over his stumps in comical fashion to be out ‘hit-wicket’. Small contributions by the lower order enabled Pakistan to 538, a lead of 23 runs. Panesar finished with three for 127.

On the fourth morning, England started aggressively, erasing Pakistan’s lead in a matter of minutes. Trescothick rode his luck having been dropped twice by Kamran Akmal. They seemed to be gripping hold of the match before Pakistan fought back yet again courtesy of Younis’ aggressive captaincy as Inzamam remained off the field due to injury. From 158 without loss, England were 248 for five. Kaneria’s chicken-dance-celebration following Pietersen’s dismissal off a googly reflected Pakistan were out for a win. Chris Read (55) frustrated Pakistan to enable his side to a 322-run lead. Shahid Nazir and Mohammad Sami unexpectedly led the bowling figures with three wickets apiece.

On the final morning, all three results seemed possible. Pakistan were always expected to go after the 323-run target to level the series while England were eyeing their first series-win since the Ashes. Salman started confidently but fell once more behind the stumps. Taufiq, looking confident against pace, was all at sea with the introduction of Panesar. Trying to sweep, he edged one to Cook at short-point. Yet again Pakistan depended wholly on Younis and Yousuf. Their approach was also positive before madness turned the game away from Pakistan. Yousuf ran for a single which was never there and that too, chancing England’s best fielder Collingwood. The next he saw was the ‘OUT’ sign flashing on the giant screen. Faisal followed next, unluckily caught behind down the leg side, trying to run Sajid Mahmood down to fine leg. Akmal was bamboozled by Mahmood’s away swinger. Pakistan were 80 for 5 and all hopes for a miraculous win or a draw wrested on Younis and Inzamam. Younis looked secure before a peach of a delivery from Panesar saw him walk back to the dressing room. What followed was a mere formality as Pakistan bundled out for 155, falling short by 167 runs.

England have sealed the series but Pakistan’s effort on the first four days must be commended. The umpires also didn’t help their cause. However, the four run-outs in the match and Pakistan’s surrender on the final day left many eyebrows raised. The ‘dead’ rubber at The Oval starts on the August 17. England would want to maintain their rhythm ahead of the Ashes while Pakistan would be searching for a face-saving victory.

© Copyright 2006. PointCricket.