rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Cricket » PHOTOS: England dance to Ajmal's tune
This article was first published 12 years ago

PHOTOS: England dance to Ajmal's tune

Last updated on: January 17, 2012 21:28 IST

Image: Saeed Ajmal celebrates after picking up a wicket against England in Dubai
Photographs: Getty Images

Pakistan's Saeed Ajmal flummoxed England's batsmen with his off-spin for his career best haul in Tests of seven for 55 to dismiss the visitors for 192 on the first day of the opening Test in Dubai.

- Scorecard | Match Report 

In reply Pakistan openers Mohammad Hafeez (22) and Taufeeq Umar (18) survived 15 overs from the number one-ranked test side to finish on 42-0 at the close, 150 runs in arrears.

Ajmal, whose previous best figures were 6-42, bagged his fifth five-wicket haul in Test matches as England were shot out in the last session of the day.

Prior saves the day for the visitors

Image: Matt Prior plays a sweep shot during the first Test against England
Photographs: Reuters

Only wicket-keeper batsman Matt Prior could muster up a fight with a brilliant 70 not out -- his 19th half-century.

This was England's lowest total in the last ten Tests since Australia bowled them out for 123 at Perth in 2010.

Ajmal dismissed Andrew Strauss with the last delivery of his first over, the 19th of the innings, and then had Ian Bell (nought) out with the first ball of his next, before trapping Kevin Pietersen (two) leg before three balls later.

Prior added 39 for the sixth wicket with Eoin Morgan before Ajmal struck again, dismissing Morgan and then Broad (eight) -- both leg-before off miscued sweeps.

Prior then ensured England reached 130 -- their lowest in a Test against Pakistan on two occasions - by adding a fighting 57 for the eighth wicket with Graeme Swann before Ajmal took the last two of the three wickets.

Pakistan played three spinners

Image: Mohammaed Hafeez celebrates after picking up a wicket
Photographs: Getty Images

Pakistan played two frontline spinners in Ajmal and left-armer Abdul Rehman, with Hafeez giving them an extra option of spin.

England may be regretting their decision to leave out the in-form Monty Panesar and play three seamers alongside off-spinner Graeme Swann.

Pakistan introduced spin as early as the sixth over through Hafeez, who was rewarded when England opener Alastair Cook edged his third delivery to wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal for just three.

Ajmal snaps Pietersen early

Image: Saeed Ajmal reacts after picking up the wicket of Kevin Pietersen
Photographs: Getty Images

Paceman Aizaz Cheema then dismissed Jonathan Trott, caught behind by a diving Adnan off a leg-side edge to leave England at 31-2.

Ajmal then bowled Strauss who went for a pull but missed the ball and lost his off-stump.Bell was then caught behind off a straight delivery from Ajmal.

Pietersen survived a confident leg-before-wicket appeal but was given out after Pakistan challenged the original decision.

Adnan, who took three catches behind the stumps, fumbled on two occasions, failing to stump Morgan when the batsman was three and dropped Swann on eight -- both off Ajmal.