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    Pakistan Break 20-Year Curse to Become Lords against England

    Pakistan vs England Lords, 1st Test Cricket Match 2016

    Written by: Mirza Salam Ahmed
    Posted on: July 18, 2016 | | 中文

    Pakistan celebrate victory with a set of push-ups (source: ESPN Cricinfo)

    Over the past two decades, the Pakistani cricket team has expressed greatness through its spontaneity, something that we have grown accustomed to celebrating, albeit with a pinch of salt. However, this time around, as the Shaheens lined up proudly at Lord’s, there was a unique sense of accomplishment, something that the nation had waited a long time to celebrate – we had officially shed complacency.

    A team coached by Mickey Arthur and led by Misbah-ul-Haq was more prepared for the challenge against England than they had been for anything in recent years. No stone was left unturned, no expense spared; and in the wake of their win, a sense of discipline was prevalent. Recording one of their most famous wins in history, the Pakistani team ended the first Test of the series against England in emphatic fashion with a unique celebration.

    Pakistan vs England Lords, 1st Test Cricket Match 2016

    The winning moment (source: ESPN Cricinfo)

    Younis Khan became the drill sergeant for the squad, making them stand in attention, then push-ups followed by a classy salute in tribute to the Pakistan Army, which had taken over the case of the team’s fitness in a 10-day boot camp in Abbottabad.

    Pakistan’s winless streak in England stretched back to 1996, so when the push-ups began in Abbottabad, the Shaheens knew they had a Herculean task ahead of them. From the boot camp, the team travelled to Lahore for a week to bring more finesse to their skills. The team then flew to Southampton, where it got accustomed to the relatively chilly English summer.

    The Englishmen gave the Pakistani team a warm welcome, with well wishes particularly for Mohammad Amir, who was resuming his career after just having served a five-year ban. The rejuvenated left arm seamer was in the spotlight as the weapon to lead Pakistan’s attack, but in the end the men hailed turned out to be the dark horses in the squad.

    Pakistan vs England Lords, 1st Test Cricket Match 2016

    Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad took 8 key wickets (source: ESPN Cricinfo)

    Misbah took the battle to England in the first innings, scoring an impressive 114 runs, silencing his critics about questions raised over his fitness. His stand was supported by rising star Asad Shafiq, who scored 73 runs. Chris Woakes devastated the Pakistan batting order to pick up 6 for 70 as Pakistan amassed 339 for England to chase. Alastair Cook showed class with a brilliant knock of 81 as Rahat Ali and Yasir Shah stumbled the English battling line-up for 272.

    Pakistan vs England Lords, 1st Test Cricket Match 2016

    Asad Shafiq (L) and Rahat Ali (R) were the unexpected heroes

    When Pakistan returned to the crease, everyone was looking at Misbah to come up with another brilliant knock, but as the skipper went down for nil, fate put the responsibility of survival upon the young shoulders of Shafiq once again – and he did not disappoint, leading the Pakistani order to a total of 215. Meanwhile, it was Woakes again who did most of the damage, picking up 5 for 32. When England returned to bat, pundits were reluctant to make a prediction. It was anybody’s game! But Rahat Ali and Yasir Shah soon swung and spun the game into Pakistan’s favour to outclass the England batting line-up.

    Pakistan vs England Lords, 1st Test Cricket Match 2016

    Yasir Shah destroyed England's middle order (source: ESPN Cricinfo)

    Rahat Ali picked 3 for 47, but it was the beguiling leg-spinner Yasir Shah who claimed the spotlight as he picked up 4 for 69. In the process, he became the youngest spinner to pick up the most wickets after 10 Tests, as well as the first leg-spinner in 11 years to claim the spot of No. 1 Test bowler in the world. It appears England had not expected to find themselves in such a scrap with Pakistan, who clearly bested their old rivals, leaving Alastair Cook and Co. with a lot of food for thought.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021