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Delighted Gough can't stop Pakistan

June 18, 2003 03:37 IST

Scorecard

England quick bowler Darren Gough returned from a year of injuries to share five wickets with James Anderson, but the pair could not stop Pakistan winning the first one-dayer on Tuesday.

Having restricted an inexperienced England side to 204 for nine with a fine display on the field, Pakistan looked in cruise control with 116 on the board for the loss of one wicket.

Then it lost four wickets for 42 runs.

After losing another three wickets for 13 runs to Gough and Anderson, they recovered their poise just enough to scramble home by two wickets and with four balls to spare in the Old Trafford day-nighter.

Abdul Razzaq hit the winning runs with a four over mid-on.

A large part of the crowd, brandishing Pakistani colours, cheered them home. "It was like playing in Lahore or Karachi," captain Rashid Latif said.

A beaming Gough, whose career was under serious threat after a string of knee operations, came through taking two for 38 from 10 impressive overs.

The 32-year-old Gough has not played a Test for almost two years and last played a one-dayer in July last year in an ill-fated comeback from injury.

Anderson, Gough's heir apparent after emerging at this year's World Cup and 12 years his junior, battled back from a wretched opening spell -- his first three overs cost 26 -- to take three for 59.

England, who won the toss and got the best use of the conditions, went into the game with three new caps.

All rounder Rikki Clarke had the most dramatic debut, bowled for a two-ball duck and then taking a wicket with his first delivery.

England captain Michael Vaughan, said: "I thought we were around 30 or 40 runs short when we batted but we set ourselves a benchmark when we fielded."

"Having Goughie back definitely helped and it was a tremendous effort from James Anderson."

Pakistan also opted for a young team after axing several of their older players, including Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, following the World Cup.

Mohammad Hafeez, who top-scored for Pakistan with 69, was the only man to make a half-century in the match. It was his best one-day score in 10 outings.

Shoaib Malik took three for 26 with his off spin while Mohammad Sami impressed with his searing pace.

The teams meet again on Friday at The Oval and at Lord's on Sunday.

 


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Sub: PAK TEAM PERFORMANCE

I m very impressed to look young Pak team. After loosing world cup with super stars and on English grounds where ball is swining so ...


Posted by Mohammed Shahbaz





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see like this i have sent so many comments to this useless thing but nothing is wokring and nothing is coming. but to my issue. ...


Posted by Raja





Sub: Pak better than english

I think Pakistan is a better side than England they have good alrounder and some very stylish batsman and quick bowler, wheras on the other ...


Posted by syed sajjad qasim




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