England’s captain Ben Stokes was delighted after they won the third Test match against Pakistan by eight wickets at the National Stadium, Karachi on Tuesday. Stokes feels the team adapted really well with both bat and ball.
England came up with an aggressive batting approach but Stokes feels a lot of credit also goes to the way they bowled. The visitors took a lead of 50 runs in the first innings after Harry Brook continued his dream form as he scored 111 runs.
Subsequently, debutant Rehan Ahmed took a five-wicket haul in the second innings to help England skittle out Pakistan for 216 runs. The tourists were able to chase down the target of 167 runs after Ben Duckett scored an unbeaten knock of 82 runs.
England was able to whitewash Pakistan by 3-0 and this is the first time when the latter has been clean swept at home.
Ben Stokes said in the post-match presentation, “Perfect (sums up the Test series). We got a process in which we want to play, the challenge is to play on different kinds of pitches and we stuck to our gameplan and adapted really well with bat and ball. Everyone delivered. Lot spoken about the way we bat, but our bowling stood up as well. It comes down to belief. The belief we have on the team in what we were trying to do and it resonates around everybody, it’s unbelievable and to be able to lead the group full of confidence, it’s amazing. Every person stood up at some point and put on some kind of match winning performance.”
Stokes also showered praise on Harry Brook, who was amazing throughout the series. Brook amassed 468 runs in three Test matches at an average of 93.60 and a strike rate of 93.41 to finish as the leading run-getter. Thus, Brook was awarded the Player of the Series.
He added, “Harry Brook has been a treat to watch, the calmness and belief he has at such a young age is incredible. The confidence and belief he’s (Rehan Ahmed) got to do what he does, he is not a finished article, but it is seriously exciting for England. I won’t forget that cap presentation. That experience itself was incredible. His Dad was so emotional and proud and I’m sure his Mum would be incredibly proud back home as well. We knew what cricket means to Pakistan and what it meant to Pakistan for us to be here, we have got the best fans in the world and also for the people in Pakistan to come out and support and walk off with the reception we have on every ground, a tremendous experience.”
England will now take on South Africa in three-match ODI series.
