The first test between England and Pakistan ended in a draw as England fell agonisingly short of glory following a Twenty20-style run-chase. A staggering and unscripted Pakistan collapse opened the door for a gallop to the finish in rapidly fading light. The hero of the hour was Adil Rashid, who turned his long-awaited maiden Test wicket into a redemptive five-wicket haul as Pakistan were routed for 173 in 57.5 overs. However, needing 99 for victory in what amounted to an hour's worth of daylight, England could not quite defy the heavens in their gallant sprint for the line.
Had there been time for Pakistan to bowl their full allocation of 19 overs, the target would have been a breeze for a spirited young line-up featuring many of the men who have revived England's one-day fortunes this summer. However, despite the best efforts of Joe Root, who hustled 33 from 29 balls, and Jonny Bairstow, who clattered an enormous six over midwicket in a Wahab Riaz over that was dispatched for 17 runs, their rage against the dying of the light left them 25 runs short after an 11-over slog.
Pakistan, inevitably, were in no hurry to get through their overs, but they could hardly be faulted for that. England themselves have used delaying tactics to their advantage in the past, not least during their great escape at Cardiff in the 2009 Ashes, when Bilal Shafayat, the 12th man, earned notoriety for his glove-delivering duties. Ultimately it came down to the umpires to assess the conditions, just as they had done on the previous evening. Fifteen years on from Karachi, and with no Steve Bucknor in the middle to take matters into his own hands, the end of the match was signalled with an apologetic shrug of the shoulders, as Bruce Oxenford and Paul Reiffel called a halt to proceedings at 5.46 pm local time, seven minutes before sunset was officially confirmed.
The first hint that something extraordinary was afoot had come in the third over of Pakistan's second innings. The morning, up to that point, had been following the pattern of the previous four days - England, 569 for 8 overnight, added 29 runs for the loss of Rashid in a ponderous first hour, before Alastair Cook decided enough was enough and declared on 598 for 9. James Anderson, the not-out No.11, appeared oddly peeved at the decision - perhaps he had designs on a last-day century? - but whatever his gripe, he quickly channelled it into another superb spell of new-ball bowling.
