Pakistan beat England as banned Amir completes return

The Pakistan cricket team dedicated its first win in 20 years at Lord’s Cricket Ground to Abdul Sattar Edhi, a philanthropist known as the country’s “Father Teresa”, who was recently laid to rest with a state funeral.

The team beat England at Lord’s, London, in the First Test on Sunday.

“This win, I wanted to dedicate it to Abdul Sattar Edhi who died a few days ago. He did so much for humanity … that’s something special,” said captain Misbah Misbah-ul-Haq.

Marking their victory with an unusual celebration, the squad performed a series of press-ups as a tribute to Haq, who became the oldest captain to score a Test century. 

In a now famous meme of a moment during the match, Haq is seen celebrating his 100 runs with a series of press-ups on the pitch.

Haq’s side had been on an army boot camp before the tour to improve their infamously poor fitness, and batsman Younis Khan led the squad in performing the routine followed by a salute in front of the ground’s famous pavilion.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Amir – previously banned for involvement in a  2010 spot-fixing scandal – completed his return to Test cricket by taking the final wicket of the match.

998, 999, 1,000… #EngvPak https://t.co/7iSmz3kajM

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 14, 2016

“It’s been a really remarkable turnaround since that 2010 incident,” said Haq, adding that his team had worked hard for the victory and had been “really responsible on and off the pitch”.

Pakistan won by 75 runs on the fourth day of their series opener. England, set 283 for victory, were bowled out for 207 in the last session of the day.

Left-arm fast bowler Amir ended the match when took the winning wicket and bowled out England’s last man, Jake Ball.

“Everybody believes he is such a fine bowler and they want him in the game again,” said Haq. “This is going to be one of the most memorable days of his life. From here, he can restart his career and prove to everybody he’s a good kid now.”

Amir, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif were all banned for spot-fixing during Pakistan’s tour of England in 2010, particularly for incidents during the Fourth Test at Lord’s.

The trio, who served jail sentences in Britain, were given minimum five-year bans by an ICC tribunal. Butt was also given a two-year suspended sentence.

Leg-spinner Yasir Shah, the man of the match, took four for 69 for a match haul of 10 for 141 in his first Test outside Asia and the United Arab Emirates.

READ MORE: Banned Amir cleared for domestic cricket return

This match also saw England paceman Chris Woakes take Test-best match figures of 11 for 102. 

Haq had become the oldest Test century-maker for 82 years when the 42-year-old, in his first Test at Lord’s, made 114 in his side’s first innings 339.

Victory saw Pakistan go 1-0 up in the four-match series ahead of the second Test at Old Trafford starting on Friday.