The first Test of the three-match series between Pakistan and England will be played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium from Tuesday (January 17). This will be the 72nd Test match between the two teams and first in the UAE. England have dominated Pakistan overall in the head-to-head contests winning 22 matches to Pakistan’s 13. Most of their success, however, has been in home Tests where they lead 20-9. Between 1980 and 1999, Pakistan held the edge with 8-3 record including three series wins in England.
This dominance is clearly reflected in the high average difference (difference between batting and bowling averages) of 7.34. Since 2000, England have drawn one home series (1-1) and won the last two by comfortable margins. England won their first second away series in Pakistan (the first in 1962) in 2000-01 after winning the final Test in Karachi by six wickets. The defeat was incidentally one of only two losses for Pakistan at the venue. Overall, the average difference in Tests in Pakistan (2.21) is not high, but on their previous visit in 2005-06, England were soundly beaten. Considering the fact that they will encounter similar conditions in the upcoming series, England will face a stiff Test.
England’s 22 wins also include ‘an unusual win’ at The Oval in 2006 when they were awarded the match when Pakistan refused to play. Outraged at being punished for ball-tampering, the Pakistan team refused to take the field after tea and, in front of a full and voluble house, Darrell Hair, the senior of the two umpires, melodramatically removed the bails. The gesture brought a symbolic and actual end to the game, the first ever forfeited in 2029 Tests and 134 years.
Eng- Pak Test encounters
Summary of Results :
Played Eng won Pak won Drawn
In England 47 20 9 18
In Pakistan 24 2 4 18
Total 71 22 13 36
Highest Innings Totals:
Pakistan’s 708 at The Oval in 1987 is their highest ever total against England. England’s highest against Pakistan is 558 for six declared at Nottingham in 1954.
LOWEST INNINGS TOTALS:
Pakistan were bowled out for just 72 runs at Birmingham in 2010 which is their lowest ever total against England. England’s lowest against Pakistan is 130 which was made at The Oval in 1954 and at Lahore in 1987-88.
HIGHEST MATCH AGGREGATE:
As many as 1553 runs were scored for the loss of 40 wickets at Leeds in 2006 which is the highest match aggregate between the two teams.
LOWEST MATCH AGGREGATE:
The lowest match aggregate between Pakistan and England was recorded at Nottingham in 1967 when 509 runs were scored for the loss of 28 wickets.
HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL SCORES:
The highest individual score by a Pakistani batsman in any Test against England is Zahir Abbas’s 274 at Birmingahm in 1971. Dennis Compton’s 278 at Nottingham in 1954 is the highest individual score for England against Pakistan.
BEST BOWLING IN AN INNINGS:
Abdul Qadir’s nine for 56 at Lahore in 1987-88 is the best bowling performance in an innings for Pakistan against England. The record of best bowling performance for England is held by Ian Botham who took eight wickets for 34 runs at Lord’s in 1978.
BEST BOWLING IN A MATCH:
The distinction of recording the best bowling in a match on either side is belong to Derek Underwood who took 13 wickets for 71 runs at Lord’s in 1974. The best match aggregate by a Pakistani bowler against England is Abdul Qadir’s 13 for 101 at Lahore in 1987-88.