In the first match of the three-match Test series between England and Pakistan, the Rawalpindi pitch saw England racking up a world record 506 runs on the opening day of the Test. Four England players scored centuries on the opening day of the match for the first time in history, after tons by Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook.
England scored a mammoth 657 in the first innings in just 101 overs while Pakistan, in reply, are also motoring well, they have crossed the 350-run mark after losing only three wickets. The pitch in Rawalpindi received a lot of criticism during the match. The surface at Rawalpindi is hardly assisting any bowlers, there is no help in movements for pacers and nothing for the spinners too.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja was seen lashing out at a reporter on being asked about the flat pitch at Pindi Stadium in Rawalpindi.
Watch the video here:
“Aap khel lain phr”
— Usama Zafar (@Usama7) December 2, 2022
Ab is journo ki accreditation cancel kre ga dictator ramiz …. pic.twitter.com/OKIHSBTli3
We live in the dark ages of pitches in Pakistan: Ramiz Raja
Earlier, Raja said that he was ‘not happy at all’ over the state of the pitch, which he admitted was “not a great advert” for Test cricket. “We live in the dark ages of pitches in Pakistan, it’s embarrassing for us, especially if you have a cricketer as chairman.” Raja was quoted as saying.
Despite the flat surface, Raja credited England with making the most of the conditions. “I’ve never seen batting like England’s on day one, It was just brilliant batting. The only time Pakistan did not concede 30 runs in a 5-minute spell was one they were taking DRS. It was fabulous – the best advertisement for how to absolutely nail a dull pitch with exciting batting,” he said.
Pakistan have also shown their batting ability in the first match and are already closing to the 400-run mark with the help of openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq. Shafique scored 114 runs off 203 balls while Imam played a beautiful knock of 121 runs off 207 balls. Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is also nearing his 8th century. As things stand, the match might end up in a stale draw.
