England deaf earn draw

England deaf shared the spoils with Pakistan in the first Test at Gidea Park, Romford.

Despite conceding a first-innings advantage of 48 and being set 333 to win, the hosts clung on to save the game.

Winning the toss, England asked Pakistan to bat first and the visitors got off to brisk start until a bowling change brought Mike O'Mahony and Steven George together.

George removed Pakistan skipper Zaka Ahmed and the scoring rate fell considerably.

A fine spell of spin by Nigel Davenport earned him figures of 5-61 and a superb run-out from Andrew George got rid of Naseer Butt for 98 as Pakistan were bowled out for 303.

Though Ben Young and Chris Hughes started solidly, the latter was run out after a misunderstanding.

England resumed on the second day on 31 for one, but lost Stefan Pilchowski early on.

A partnership of 47 between Young and Umesh Valjee took the score to 94 before Valjee was caught and bowled for 13.

Young was bowled for a superb 91 after lunch and further wickets fell regularly until a stabilising stand of 59 between Darrell Sykes (25) and Steven George (29 not out).

Farooq soon followed Sykes soon after as England were bowled out for 255.

In Pakistan's second innings Sykes bowled a fast opening spell and made an early breakthrough by removing Zaka for three.

However, despite England's efforts the Pakistan pair remained undefeated to reach 70 for one by the close.

Day three saw England strike early - Muahmmad Iqbal was bowled by Davenport - but Pakistan accumulated runs steadily as Shahzad Mirza progressed to 145.

The visitors batted on for over an hour after lunch before declaring on 284 for four, leaving England a target of 333 in 50 over's.

Despite slipping to 15 for two, Valjee and O'Mahony added 83, the former reaching a deserved half-century.

The captain's agreed to close early and stumps were drawn with England 98 for two.

Pakistan: 303 (Mirza 44, Butt 98, Davenport 5-61) and 284-4 (Mirza 145, Anjum 65no)
England: 255 (Young 91) and 98-2 (Valjee 52no, O’Mahony 31no)

Match drawn.