A valuable 136-run partnership between Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes steered England to a highly-impressive three-wicket victory over Pakistan in the first Test at Old Trafford.
The visitors resumed their second innings on 137-8 on Saturday morning hoping to build on their substantial lead. Then, despite Yasir Shah striking a few blows that frustrated England, Stuart Broad and Jofra Archer wrapped up the innings as Pakistan were dismissed for 169.
Watch: Shah breaks Woakes’ helmet
It meant England had to chase down 277 for victory on a pitch providing some extra pace and bounce, while Shah’s leg-spin ability also spelled danger for the homeside.
Pakistan got off to a brilliant start as the England top order slumped to 117-5, Shah complementing his fast bowlers with the big wicket of Ben Stokes.
But, Buttler and Woakes decided to up the tempo and went on the attack against a Pakistan bowling attack, which began to look a bit out of shape.
The pair both surpassed the half-century mark as England edged closer to their target in the final session of day four.
Shah would eventually trap Buttler in front for 75 before removing Stuart Broad in the same fashion for seven.
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But, by that stage England were already home as Woakes struck the winning runs with an unbeaten score of 84.
The second Test gets under way next week Thursday in Southampton.
England: Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (wk), Chris Woakes, Dom Bess, Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, James Anderson.
Pakistan: Shan Masood, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali (c), Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Shadab Khan, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah.
