Pakistan end England's winning streak
August 22, 2010 - 4:55AM
Pakistan won the third Test at The Oval on Saturday beating England by four wickets - the hosts lead the four match series 2-1.
Pakistan's victory was their fourth at The Oval - but only their first over England since Lahore in December 2005 - and sets up a mouthwatering contest next week at Lord's for the fourth and final Test.
For England it meant the end of a run of six successive victories, with their last loss to South Africa in Johannesburg in January.
Umar Akmal hit the winning single - to make it 148-6 - after Pakistan had threatened to collapse and once again demonstrate their fragility. He had steadied matters after his side had lost three wickets after lunch but along with young pace bowler Mohammad Aamer saw them past the winning post.
Chasing 148 to win the tourists had reached 3-115 at lunch with veteran Mohammad Yousuf 22 not out and looked well set for an easy victory.
England were given a glimmer of hope just before the break when Graeme Swann had captain Salman Butt caught at slip for 48, to give him his second wicket of the innings.
Swann blocked up one end with his off spin but at the other runs were coming freely as Butt and Imran Farhat looking determined to finish things early got Pakistan past 50 in the eight over after they had lost opener Yasir Hameed to the fourth ball of the innings and the first he had faced.
Pakistan were immediately put on the back foot when Hamed edged James Anderson to second slip, Swann needed two attempts to hold on to the chance and leave Pakistan 1-5.
Farhat made 33 before he was leg before to Swann, the only bowler who gave captain Andrew Strauss any control whatsoever.
Butt nearly saw his team home, making his 48 runs from 64 balls but he was neatly caught by Paul Collingwood, again off Swann, just before lunch.
Mohammad Aamer recorded his Test best figures of 5-52 to give Pakistan a real chance of pulling one Test back in the series.
England who lost six wickets for 26 runs in a frenzied period on Friday night could only add one run to their overnight total of 221 with Steve Finn getting off the mark.
They were looking to add at least another 30 runs but Stuart Broad who made 48 in England's first innings had a careless waft and was caught as the hosts failed to make the most of Alastair Cook's 110.
This was Cook's first Test hundred of the summer after a barren spell which had seen his place at the top of the order called into question.
But his 13th Test hundred has likely booked his place on the plane for the tour of Australia this winter when England will be defending the Ashes.
England were looking to retain their winning record this summer after beating Bangladesh 2-0 earlier this season.
Pakistan end England's winning streak
Pakistan end England's winning streak
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