PAK vs ENG: “Haven’t Seen Anything More Dominant From England” – Michael Atherton On England's Annihilation Of Pakistan On Day 1 Of Rawalpindi Test
Published - 02 Dec 2022, 03:59 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM
Former England National Cricket Team captain Michael Atherton, who led the English team in 54 Tests and 43 ODIs, reacting to England’s destruction of Pakistan on Day 1 of the first Test, said that he has not seen ”anything more dominant from England”.
The first Test match of the three-match series between England and Pakistan is being played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from December 1 to 5. On Day 1, England registered a record-breaking total of 506-4, and four batters – Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook smashed centuries.
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Speaking to Sky Sports, Atherton applauded batters and said that the opening day domination of England in Rawalpindi was their “most dominant opening two hours of a Test match”.
“I think it was England’s most dominant opening two hours of a Test match. That’s a sign of an era that is changing rather than the specifics. I haven’t seen anything more dominant from England,” he said.
These conditions allowed Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley to express themselves to the fullest – Michael Atherton
Atherton further gave a special mention to former India opener Virender Sehwag and former Australia opener Matthew Hayden while showering praise on England openers – Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett – who added 233 runs in 216 balls on Day 1 of the first Test against Pakistan.
“I am thinking back to the really aggressive openers that I’ve seen down the years. Virender Sehwag. I’ve seen him play incredible innings at the top of the order. Matthew Hayden and so they certainly have been dominant openers before,” Atherton said.
“These conditions allowed Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley to express themselves to the fullest really, and they both played superbly. Pakistan ran the back foot right from the outset. 500 is still hard to believe,” Atherton added.
