Prior’s ton puts hosts in position of strength
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July 31: Pakistan were set a record-breaking target of 435 to win the first Test after England declared their second innings on 262 for nine on the third day at Trent Bridge on Saturday. Matt Prior was 102 not out and Steven Finn nine not out after an unbroken last-wicket stand of 49.
The most any side has ever made in the fourth innings to win a Test is the 418 for seven scored by the West Indies against Australia in Antigua in 2003. Pakistan’s equivalent record is the 315 for nine they scored against Australia at Karachi in 1994.
Earlier, Umar Gul starred with both bat and ball but England still marched on. Gul, who ensured Pakistan avoided the follow-on with a Test-best 65 not out, took 3/41. Given how Pakistan had been dismissed for 182 in their first innings on Saturday, it appeared England already had enough runs on the board.
But a longer-term concern for England ahead of their Ashes defence in Australia later this year was Kevin Pietersen’s dismissal for 22 — the 21st Test innings in a row where the star batsman had failed to score a century.
England, 49/2 at lunch, were 66/4 soon afterwards. Pietersen, who looked ready to tough it out in difficult, overcast conditions, got an inside edge off seamer Gul and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who had a poor first innings behind the stumps, held a superb one-handed catch after diving to his left.
Earlier, Pakistan resumed on 147/9, 207 behind but only eight short of avoiding the follow-on, with Gul 30 not out and Asif unbeaten on nought. Gul clipped Saturday’s first ball, from James Anderson, for four.And next over No. 9 Gul’s backfoot cover-driven four off Finn meant Pakistan had avoided the follow-on. — AFP
Scores: England 354 & 262/9 decl (Prior 102 n.o.; Gul 3/41) vs Pakistan 182 (Gul 65 n.o., Malik 38; Anderson 5/54, Finn 3/50).
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