Despite the dour start to proceedings across the first four days in Abu Dhabi, this Test series in the UAE has been eventful, enthralling viewing.
It may not have had the fireworks of the recent Ashes series in England that saw wickets tumble, runs scored at a rapid rate and matches ending inside three days. Instead, it was attritional Test cricket.
And it was brilliant.
– AUSvNZ: Warner blasts Aus to 389-2 on day one
– #360view: Asad Shafiq highlights his star power
– FOLLOW: Live cricket scores around the world
Sure, this series will not hook new fans from the ‘now’ generation but it will have delighted the purists who still revel in Tests going the distance.
It is how the game is meant to be played and the reason why five day battles are known as ‘Tests’.
England were facing trial by spin (they ended up being sent down), up against a Pakistan side yet to lose in the UAE and who battered them 3-0 when they were last here in 2012.
Pakistan had to contend with two of the best seamers in the world and the prospect of the world’s (for now) number one Test batsman in Joe Root.
It meant that fascinating sessions played out, neither side giving the other an inch for large parts before games exploded into life.
A victorious Misbah joins us in the press room. No retirement talk yet #PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/IGiir6KCs6
— Barny Read (@BarnabyRead) November 5, 2015
Adil Rashid’s five-for on Test debut jarred the first Test awake, while Wahab Riaz’s third morning spell in Dubai will be remembered for securing Pakistan’s unbeaten record.
Add to that England’s collapse here in Sharjah, where they had bossed the game for two days, and you see how small the margins of error are in Test cricket, despite the volumes and volumes of deliveries.
There was needle too, which never crossed the line and created yet more sub plots.
Riaz and Root clashed in Dubai, a duel fascinating for the spike and even more so considering the importance of the match situation as two of the most skilful players on display had it out on the field.
Neither player took the issue beyond the boundary rope; it was apparent that on the pitch they did not get on but had great respect for each other’s ability.
In the end, an eventful Test series here in the UAE. Pakistan deserving winners and have been superb throughout. England can take positives.
— Barny Read (@BarnabyRead) November 5, 2015
When Mohammad Hafeez then alluded to England ball tampering, it largely went unnoticed but still highlighted the fact that there was more to this series than met the eye.
With so much at stake and such tricky obstacles to overcome across the 15 days of cricket that this series survived, you will be hard pressed to find a series more challenging of players than this.
Hard-fought, hard cricket it may have been but it was not hard to watch – no matter what T20 fans tell you.
