Ashes Champs succumb to Pak attack at Multan
England loses first Test in dramatic manner - Kaneria turns out to be deadly Pak weapon - Shoaib strikes
back with sizzling spell
From Amjad Gardezi

MULTAN—Pakistan’s bowlers turned in a thrilling performance to bowl England out for 175 on a see-saw final day at Multan, giving the home side a 22-run win and a crucial lead in the best-of-three series. Two wickets in four balls from Danish Kaneria started a slide in which England lost nine wickets for 111 runs, and despite a dogged eighth-wicket stand of 49 between Geraint Jones and Shaun Udal, Pakistan were not to be denied.
While both sides’ batting was inconsistent, England will be worried by the fact that over half of their runs in the match came from two batsmen — Marcus Trescothick and Ian Bell. The rest didn’t manage a fifty between them. But the day belonged to Pakistan who thoroughly deserved their victory. Pakistan seized the advantage on the final morning at Multan, taking six wickets to leave England in deep trouble at 138 for 7 at lunch. They require a further 60 runs to win, with Shaun Udal and Geraint Jones at the crease. They batted well together as lunch approached, matching the assured start by Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell who bossed the first half hour of the day. But, aside from these short passages of play, the momentum was all Pakistan’s, and they remain favourites to take an early lead in the series.
Pakistan’s bowler Danish Kaneria took three wickets — Bell, Strauss and Andrew Flintoff — to lead an amazing turnaround for the home side and completely alter the complexion of the match. Bell and Strauss had been busy bossing the early exchanges, dispatching the loose stuff from Shoaib Ahktar and Shabbir Ahmed with ease, and their bright start brought up their fifty partnership in no time at all. With both batsmen largely untroubled against a ball which wasn’t swinging and on a pitch which offered no movement, Inzamam-ul-Haq made a double change, and struck a treble blow.
It did not take Kaneria long to induce the edge, as Bell gave himself room for the cut which flashed through to Kamran Akmal. Strauss fell a blink later, similarly bamboozled, his defensive prod finding first slip. England were offered no respite at the other end either as Mohammad Sami blazed in with whole-hearted fervour. Paul Collingwood had no answer to him, and no question to ask either when a ferocious inswinger trapped him plumb. This was a situation made for Kevin Pietersen and Flintoff: both big men, both big occasion players. But with Kaneria finding turn and bounce on this fifth-day surface, this would be no cakewalk, as Flintoff was soon to find out.
He made an encouraging start to his innings, a cover-driven four off Sami to settle in, and he began to work the ball around. But just when England needed a hero, a rush of blood got the better of him and he swept away a legside delivery straight to Younis Khan at midwicket. It was an ill-advised shot at the best of times. This was not the best of times for England. If Pakistan were licking their lips with Flintoff’s dismissal, they were positively salivating when Sami went on to remove Pietersen with the faintest of edges. As usual, Pietersen’s plan was littered with attacking intent, announcing his arrival with a six off Kaneria over his favourite midwicket region. His departure came not long after, though, and Pakistan were scenting victory.
In among the wickets, the appeals were coming thick and fast, and the umpires had their work cut out. So did England, who were struggling to recover from a nervous 90 minutes. They were soon rocked again. As Pakistan’s amazing comeback gathered more steam, so did Akhtar, who took his cue from the energetic Sami. Coming on for a second burst, he quickly removed Ashley Giles with an inswinging yorker which sent middle stump, leg stump and England stomachs cartwheeling. Udal joined Jones at the crease, with a mammoth 81 runs still needed. They erased 21 of those before the much-needed break.
It has been shades of Trent Bridge all over again for England, as their middle order crumbled in the chase. Whether they will pull off victory this time, with the mountain that much steeper, remains to be seen against a fiery Pakistan attack who have their tails up and their noses in front. Salman Butt was declared Man of the Match after his good performance in both the innings of the test match. While talking to Rameez Raja at the prize ceremony, left hander said that his century against England was the best of his career as England attack is one of the best in the world hoping that he will perform well in the remaining matches too.
On the other hand, Pakistan Captain Inzammam ul Haq said that full credit must be given to the Pakistani bowlers who came back strongly on the last morning as pressure was on England to chase handful of runs on the last day. Replying to a question, he said that Pakistan must not feel complacent as England will bounce back strongly in the remaining two matches. He added that 197 was not a big score, however praised his bowlers who virtually destroyed England backbone on the opening morning of last day of first test match. “It was sheer team work”, he added.