On day one of the first Test against England in Dubai, Saeed Ajmal, the off-spinner from Pakistan, exhibited remarkable form, achieving career-best figures of 7-55.
Pakistan managed to dismiss England for just 192 runs, and by the close of play, their openers had reached 0-42.
After winning the toss and opting to bat at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, England faced a tough start, with only Matt Prior’s determined innings of 70 providing any substance to their effort, rescuing them from a dire position of 7-94.
“It’s a reminder that cricket in the subcontinent tends to be more attritional,” Prior observed after facing 154 balls with merely three boundaries.
“Batters need to extend their innings longer.”
“The batters must acknowledge: ‘We didn’t perform well today.’”
“We trust our bowlers can help us regain control of the game.”
Despite not bowling the anticipated “mystery ball,” both Ajmal and Prior downplayed suggestions that the ‘teesra’ hype had impacted the batsmen’s performance.
“I can’t comment on whether they’ve been troubled by the teesra conversation,” Ajmal remarked.
“I bowled consistently, and it was simply my day.”
In response, Prior stated: “I don’t believe he got into our heads.
“Naturally, we discussed him; he’s a significant threat. He had a standout day and bowled exceptionally well … but I don’t think it’s a matter of us overthinking or fearing him … we just didn’t execute as we should.”
Ajmal acknowledged: “I attempted that mystery delivery, but I lack confidence in it.
“Perhaps after one or two innings, I’ll get it right.”
In 2011, the off-spinner topped the Test wicket-taker list with 50 wickets, yet he has faced frequent criticism for struggling against left-handed batsmen.
“Everyone claims I can’t get left-handers out, but I proved that wrong,” he asserted after dismissing four left-handed England batsmen.
England found it challenging to cope with Ajmal’s off-spinners and doosra—the delivery that turns away from right-handed batsmen—and he offered some insights for the world’s top-ranked Test team.
“They should have played more aggressively on the front foot, but they made poor shots that worked to my advantage,” he advised.
This Test in Dubai marks the first encounter between the teams since the controversial 2010 series, which resulted in three Pakistan players being charged and subsequently imprisoned in England for spot-fixing.
Buford Balony says: It’s clear the Poms won’t maintain their No 1 status for long.
