Bad start for England in Test
18/01/2012
England's cricketers endured a bad opening day in the first Test of the three-match series against Pakistan in the UAE yesterday (January 18th).
After winning the toss and opting to bat on a flat pitch in Dubai, the world champions slumped to 43-5, bamboozled by the unorthodox off-spin of Saeed Ajmal, while Mohammed Hafeez and Aizaz Cheema also chipped in with wickets.
Matt Prior's unbeaten 70 and 34 from Graeme Swann helped rescue the situation to an extent, but with Ajmal finishing with 7-55, the tourists were dismissed for 192.
And hopes of a new ball breakthrough were thwarted as Hafeez and fellow opener Taufeeq Umar saw the side through to the close at 42-0.
Fans enjoying hospitality packages at Lord's for the first Test of next summer against the West Indies will hope England can bounce back in this match and the other two games to come.
After the current series in the UAE, England will play a two-match Test series in Sri Lanka before returning to the familiar conditions of home.
By Liz Johnstone