ISLAMABAD - Former International Cricket Council President Zaheer Abbas lauded Pakistan victory at Lords and termed it was highly memorable one for him as well as he was present at the venue.

Former Pakistan cricket team skipper and Asian Bradman Zaheer talking exclusively to The Nation from England on Monday said it was a treat to watch green caps played like a unit after a long time and put extra efforts as every player was working so hard for just one cause and that was to achieve victory for country after a long and hard wait of around two decades.

He said although it was not a huge total to defend but each and every bowler bowled out of their skins and ensured a huge and resounding victory.

“Yasir Shah bowled exceptionally and remained instrumental in helping green caps achieve morale-boosting victory, but once again I would give credit to all including skipper Misbahul Haq. The way Pakistani bowlers just outsmarted English batsmen was amazing. They had no answers to the breath-taking deliveries of Pakistani bowling attack.”

Zaheer said Pakistani batting was just ok and not exceptional. “I must say defending modest 284 runs target was not big enough at Lords as it is known for batting paradise. But bowlers did a fantastic job. Believe me I was feeling lot of pressure, as being present at the venue. It was amazing feeling hard to describe in words as I was feeling like fully physically involved in the match.”

When asked about the turning point of the match, Zaheer replied the wicket of Bairstow was the turning point that changed the entire complexion of the match.

“The way Bairstow and Woakes were betting it was very irritating for Pakistani crowd. They both had steadied the English ship and having played Yasir so well and scoring 56 runs partnership.

The match was slipping out of the hands of Pakistan, but I feel it was not a bad shot selection from Bairstow rather it was persistent pressure build by Yasir, which finally paid off and Aamir also bowled terrifically specially as he removed Broad and also almost took the wicket of Finn, who was given out by the field umpire, but review saved his skin.”

Zaheer said Pakistani batsmen had to be more careful in the next Test and they had to bat with more maturity and must try to spend as much time as they can on the crease to frustrate English bowlers.

“They must understand the importance of leaving the wayward deliveries, rather than chasing them. Fielding standard needs further improvement. Pakistan can’t afford to drop dolly catches. Now first task of winning the Lords Test has been achieved and Pakistan is known for complacency.

They must start it all over again in the second Test.

Winning the first Test means Pakistan had taken upper hand in the four-match Test series and doesn’t mean they had won the series yet. England would bounce back in the second Test and they would likely have the services of James Anderson as well.

Pakistan had the ability and guts to maintain winning streak but for that they had to continue from where they left in the first Test.”

He said team showed fighting spirit and shut critics mouths up with clinical performance in the Lord’s Test. Although there were few minnow mistakes, which I am sure coach and management would have taken notice and Pakistan team would not repeat same mistakes in the next Test.

“My well wishes and prayers like always are with the team and I hope this victory would take Pakistan cricket to new heights and they would achieve the task of claiming number 1 Test playing nation in ICC rankings and I have no doubt about their abilities,” Zaheer concluded.