The third and final Test between England and Pakistan has ended in a historical triumph for Pakistan with our team gifting the nation a ‘clean sweep bouquet’ which every cricket lover aspired for. The great honor fell into our lap by the grace of God almighty, the prayers of the cricket loving nation and relentless efforts of our team displaying tremendous confidence, determination, strategy and planning, flawless performance by every member of the team and above all excellent leadership by skipper Misbah ul Haq.
Cricket being a ‘game of glorious uncertainties’ every match has its ups and downs. This memorable contest was no different. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, our team was out for a petty score of 99 in the first innings, apparently not a winning start. Our galaxy of bowlers led by Abdur Rahman (5 for 40) and Saeed Ajmal (3 for 59), however, managed to skittle out the world’s top team for a small total of 141 runs. The Pakistan team having staged a comeback, England’s lead of 42 runs was in no way frightening for our gallant fighters.    
In the second innings our team batted with absolute dedication with the players fully focused on the objective of a victory culminating into clean sweep. With the two gladiators Muhammad Younis and Azhar Ali scoring centuries the Pakistan team piled up a fighting total of 365 runs offering England a daunting victory target of 324 runs. With full determination to whitewash the opponents our bowlers played havoc with England’s batting again getting them out for a total of
252 runs thus winning the all important contest by 71 runs. Said to be the third clean sweep that Pakistan has scored against England the victory provided the nation a great occasion for rejoicing. It is a great honour that such a marvelous success came on the auspicious occasion of Eid-e-Milad ul Nabi indicating the nature’s full support to our team. Such a spiritual help shall not be lacking if our boys keep their conduct, honesty and integrity intact and resolve not to indulge in any mean or mischievous act like the humiliated trio of Salman Butt, Asif and Aamir.
RAFI NASIM,
Lahore, February 8.