England vs Pakistan Day 4: England's bold declaration, eyeing victory in Rawalpindi
Ben Stokes' aggressive declaration gave his team a real chance to force victory on day five of the first Test.
Ben Stokes' aggressive declaration.Stokes declared at tea on day four that Pakistan had a tempting target of 343 for victory and gave his side a chance to take ten wickets in four sessions after Harry Brook's 87 off just 65 balls was the standout knock as England reached 264-7 in just 35.5 overs in their second innings. Will Jacks took six wickets on debut.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">England have declared!<br><br>Pakistan need 343 runs in four sessions to win in Rawalpindi 🎯<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PAKvENG?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PAKvENG</a></p>— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNcricinfo/status/1599343086894735361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Pakistan finished on 80-2, needing another 263 runs after Abdullah Shafique (6) and captain Babar Azam (4) were lost to England's short-ball tactics. Azhar Ali (0) also had to leave the field injured after a blow to the hand.
Imam-ul-Haq (43*) and Saud Shakeel (24*) scored 55 off 88 balls.
England now have a day to take eight wickets - maybe seven, depending on Azhar's fitness.
Day 4 - Match Summary
* England declared and Pakistan need 343 to win.
* Imam (43*), Shakeel (24*), Babar (4) were caught off Stokes.
* Robinson bowls Shafique out and then forces Azhar to retire with an injured finger.
* Tourists hit 264-7 from 35.5 overs as they prepare for victory.
* Harry Brooks hits a brilliant 87 off 65 balls.
* Crawley hits 50 off 47 balls; Root follows up with 73 off 69 balls.
* Pakistan was bowled out for 579 - England leads by 78 runs after the first innings.
* Jacks takes 6-161 on his Test debut.