Rising Pakistan thump England for 2-0 series win

Pakistan spinner ran riot as the Misbah-ul-Haq-led team defeated England by a big 127-run margin in the third and final Test in Sharjah and won the three-match series 2-0. 

 Spin trio of Shoaib Malik, Yasir Shah and Zulfiqar Babar shared nine wickets between them to help Pakistan beat England by a big 127-run margin in the third and final Test in Sharjah on Thursday.

Shah finished with 4-44, Malik -- playing his last Test -- took 3-26 and Babar grabbed 2-31 to bundle England out for 156 soon after lunch on the fifth and final day for a 2-0 series win at Sharjah stadium.

England, set 284 to win, were always on the back foot on a turning pitch as only skipper Alastair Cook showed some resistance during his 241-minute fight, scoring 63 with four boundaries.

It was Malik who gave Pakistan the prized wicket of Cook, stumped by wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed, to finish with seven wickets in the match.

Shah had Ben Stokes stumped in the next over for 12 to spark celebrations in the field as Pakistan players embraced each other.

The victory lifts Pakistan to an equal highest ever number two in the ICC (International Cricket Council) Test rankings, a spot which they previously attained only for a few days in August 2006.

Pakistan won the second Test by 178 runs in Dubai.

Alastair Cook's team fought well throughout the three Tests and was unlucky not to win the first Test in Abu Dhabi, forced into a draw due to bad light with just 24 needed for victory.

England are now pushed to sixth from their pre-series third in the Test rankings.

England were in danger of losing the match before lunch but Adil Rashid (22) helped add 49 for the seventh wicket with Cook to delay Pakistan's win.

Cook punched paceman Rahat Ali for a single to reach his 46th half-century in Tests.

When the final day began England were rocked right at the start, losing four wickets in the space of 31 balls after resuming at 46-2.

Shah trapped Joe Root in the second over with a delivery that kept low and caught the batsman in front of the stumps before he had added to his overnight score of six.

James Taylor survived nine deliveries to score two before Babar spun one across his bat for Younis Khan to take the edge in the slip. In the next over, Shah trapped Jonny Bairstow leg-before for nought.

It became 59-6 when Samit Patel was leg-before in Babar's next over, leaving England in fear of being bowled out for their lowest total of 72 against Pakistan when they crumbled in Abu Dhabi in 2012.

But the Rashid-Cook stand got England past the 100-mark before Rahat bowled Rashid with 15 minutes to go before lunch.

Misbah-ul-Haq creates world record in ongoing Sharjah series

Misbah-ul-Haq has officiated as a captain in most number of Test matches after the age of 40. 

Mumbai: Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq was unaware about the world record he made last month.

Misbah has officiated as a captain in most number of Test matches after the age of 40. Born in Mianwali, Punjab on May 28, 1974, the 41-year-old right-handed batsman is captaining the Pakistan team against England in the ongoing Sharjah Test in the 15th Test – two Tests more than England’s WG Grace – who led in 13 Tests after crossing 40.

Speaking exclusively over his mobile from his hotel room, Misbah says: "I am happy to know this record from you. But for me important thing is my performance and not this record.”

"It is really satisfying for me that even after the age of 40, I am still scoring runs for my team".

Incidentally, on Day One of the current Test, the captain was the highest run-scorer from his team. His 71 runs included seven fours and two sixes.

Misbah hopes his record will be intact for many years.

No player from Pakistan has ever captained in Test beyond this age.

"It is not easy in today's cricket to carry on till this age as the demands of this game are getting higher", he further added.

"It will not be easy to break this record for anyone but still it is not impossible", he signed off.

Though captain didn't spell out, he is believed to have put his retirement on hold. According to the highly placed sources close to the team management, Misbah is likely to continue to play against England next year also.

If the sources are to be believed, Misbah will not retire irrespective of the result of the current series. 

‘After Sania Mirza, the answer is blank’

Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza capped off 2015 in style with the WTA Finals crown in Singapore, her ninth title of the season with Swiss Miss Martina Hingis. 

Mumbai: Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza had a dream run in the women’s doubles category in 2015. With 10 titles – including the recent WTA $7 million title in Singapore – she established her supremacy, along with Swiss partner Martina Hingis.

In a freewheeling chat with this correspondent on Tuesday, Sania, who signed up as brand ambassador along with Indian national football captain Sunil Chhetri for pain reliever brand Volini, opened up on the chemistry with Martina, on husband Shoaib Malik’s success and tennis’ future in India. Excerpts…

Your racket never went wrong this year? What was the trick?

Everything has gone right. I had a pretty good last year as well. I finished the year top five in the world. I won five tournaments but one can only dream about a year like 2015. Martina and I are fortunate to have found each other. Besides, I have been physically fit and have been playing the best tennis of my life.

What is the key to maintain a good partnership?

We are good friends and try to keep it simple, which shows on the court. In tough moments, we trust each other on the court. I wish my partnership with Martina started five years ago. I think everything happens for a reason at the right time and that’s what happened to us. We’ll also be playing next year. Our games compliment each other.

What changes have you made to your game this time around?

I think I’ve just tried to consolidate and become better at what I already knew. I’ve tried to improve my forehand. In tennis, you always have room for improvement even if you’re No 1 in the world. You still have to keep improving.

Shoaib Malik has always credited you for the success he has achieved in cricket. How has he helped you with regards to your game?

I haven’t helped Shoaib improve his game, I promise you. I think it’s all him, he has worked very hard to be where he is. Even when he was going through tough times, he never gave up and that’s the attitude he showed when he came and scored that double century (in Sharjah during the first Test against England). I am very happy for him. And please don’t blame me if he gets out without scoring. (Laughs)

What happens after Sania? Who will succeed her?

Sponsorship is one of the issues that tennis players in India face. This is a question that we’ve been asking for the past 11 years and we’ve always come up blank. There are a lot of other things that go into it such as the correct kind of coaching, correct decisions and infrastructure.

Are you happy with the tennis scene in India? There’s the IPTL and Champions tennis league coming up.

It’s getting better, but there is still room for improvement. Whatever suggestions I have, I’ll speak straight to the associations.