ICC World Test Championship Table- England, Pakistan Gain 13 Points Each After 3rd Test Ends In A Draw

Inclement weather and bad light meant the third and final Test of the three-match #raisethebat series between England and Pakistan ended in a frustrating draw. England, however, by virtue of their miraculous win in the first Test at the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester, have broken their decade-old jinx of not beating Pakistan in a Test series, as they take the series 1-0 and end the 2020 home summer on a high.

In the end, the final day of the Test series proved to be a momentous one even though the game meandered to a boring draw, with both teams agreeing to call the game off at the beginning of the mandatory final hour. The day proved to be momentous because of James Anderson, who became the first seamer in the history of the game to breach the 600-wicket mark in Test match cricket.

Anderson had come into this game on the back of a lot of talks around his retirement following a lean summer thus far. But the Lancashire fast bowler once again proved why he is one of the greatest of all times as he showed exemplary skills to nip out a five-wicket haul in the first innings. It was top-quality bowling from Anderson, something we have grown accustomed to in the past decade or so. But like it has been the case throughout the summer, Anderson had to really work hard for his rewards, and his job was made even more difficult by England’s appalling catching.

Also Read- Twitter Reacts After James Anderson Becomes The First Seamer To Breach Mount.600 In Test Cricket

England win a Test series against Pakistan after 10 years

The moment finally came on the fifth day when he got one to kickoff the surface, only for Azhar Ali to fend it straight to Joe Root, who made no mistake in the slip cordon this time around. Apart from James Anderson, this Test match will also be remembered for the record-breaking stand between Zak Crawley and Jos Buttler. Crawley became the third-youngest Englishman to score a double-hundred in Test cricket. The right-hander scored 267 while Jos Buttler racked up his second Test hundred to help England post 8-583 in their first innings.

This Test match will also be remembered for the fighting knock that Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali played in the first innings. Battling poor form and immense criticism due to his own form and his team’s performance, Ali stood up to the challenge, scoring a brilliant 141. During the knock, he also breached the 6000-run barrier in Test cricket.

Pakistan eventually got a jailbreak in this Test and England even though they won the series, will be ruing the fact that they missed out on crucial ICC Test Championship points. Since the game ended in a draw, both sides have gained 13 points each [1/3 of the maximum available points which is 40 in case of a 3-match series]. England, with 292 points, are now four points away from leapfrogging the second-placed Australia but they have played five Tests more than their Ashes foes. Pakistan, on the other hand, is at the 5th spot with 166 points in 8 completed fixtures. India continue to hold the numero-uno spot with 360 points.

Here’s how the ICC World Test Championship Table is looking after England vs Pakistan Test series-