All Noteworthy Stats From Historic Pakistan vs England 1st Test At Rawalpindi

Cricket Image for All Noteworthy Stats From Historic Pakistan vs England 1st Test At Rawalpindi (Image Source: AFP)

In their first outing in Pakistan in the last 17 years, England showed some aggressive cricket followed by some bold moves, and eventually registered a win on the surface which looked more than likely to produce a draw. 

A number of noteworthy stats have come to attention from the thrilling 1st PAK vs ENG Test at Rawalpindi. Let's take a look at some of these interesting statistics which came into being by a combination of a flat surface and McCullum-Stokes' "Bazball'.

1. A total of 1,768 runs were scored in the match, which is the 3rd most runs ever scored in a Test match. In 1939, a total of 1,981 runs were scored between South Africa and England at Durban, while West Indies and England scored 1,815 in 1930 at Kingston. 

2. This was the first Test match ever to produce a result after both teams scored more than 550 runs in their first innings. Before this, all 15 tests where both teams scored more than 550+ runs ended in a draw. Interestingly, 1,768 runs scored in the 1st Test between Pakistan and England holds the record for most runs in Test with a result. Prior to this, the highest aggregate for a Test to produce a result was between Australia and England in 1921, where they scored 1,753 runs. 

3. Prior to this match, England had won only 2 Test matches against Pakistan in Pakistan. Their first win was all the way back in Lahore in 1961, while their other win was achieved in 2000 at Karachi. England have played a total of 25 matches in Pakistan, where they have conceded only 4 defeats while as many as 18 matches have ended in a draw. 

Take A Bow, Ben Stokes #Cricket #PAKVENG #England #Pakistan #rawalpinditest pic.twitter.com/oelYopPPns

— CRICKETNMORE (@cricketnmore) December 5, 2022

4. England declared their 2nd innings with a lead of just 342 runs at Tea on Day 4 – which is the joint 5th lowest for any team to declare with 4 or more sessions are remaining in the game. This seemed like a very brave decision on a lifeless pitch with no assistance for the bowlers. However, England dangled a win in front of Pakistan, which made the batters go for runs and eventually get dismissed. 

5. England pacers – Ollie Robinson (4 wickets), James Anderson (4 wickets) and Ben Stokes (1 wicket) picked up 9 wickets between them in the 4th innings of the match. This is the 2nd most wickets by visiting pacers in the 4th innings in a Test in Asia. In 1983, West Indies pacers Malcolm Marshall (2), Michael Holding (4), Winston Davis (3) and Watne Daniel (1) picked up 10 wickets in the 4th innings at Ahmedabad, which is the most by visiting pacers in the 4th innings of a Test in Asia.