10 August,2010 09:09 AM IST | | AFP
England may have beaten Pakistan by nine wickets to win the second Test with more than a day to spare but home captain Andrew Strauss insisted the result didn't tell the story of the match.
Pakistan were bowled out for 72 ufffd their lowest total against England ufffd in the first innings as their batsmen once more struggled to cope with the swing generated by the hosts' fast bowlers in, helpful overcast conditions.
But when the skies brightened in their second innings, Pakistan made 296 with debutant wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider scoring 88 and Saeed Ajmal a Test-best 50 as they added 115 for the eighth wicket.
England were left with a potentially tricky 118 for victory.
But yet more fallible Pakistan fielding ufffd they dropped three catches to go with the seven they missed first time around ufffd helped England go 2-0 up in this four-match series as both Strauss and Jonathan Trott finished on 53 not out. "We had a few butterflies because we knew we had to work hard for a Test match win. It was a timely reminder for us we have to work for a Test match win. All credit to Pakistan."
England off-spinner Graeme Swann was named man-of-the-match after taking a Test-best six wickets for 65 runs in Pakistan's second innings and Strauss said: "He was outstanding yesterday (Sunday). "We were relying on him and he came to the party yet again. With his spinning there are not many better out there."
England's first innings 251 saw something of a return to form for batsman Kevin Pietersen who top-scored with 80.
"Batting that second day was very tough, the innings that he played made a massive difference in the context of the game," Strauss said.
