Monday, July 25th, 2016

Worcs Star Moeen Claims Three Wickets As England Level Test Series

Worcs Star Moeen Claims Three Wickets As England Level Test Series

Moeen Ali played a key part with the ball in helping England defeat Pakistan – who start a two-day game at New Road on Friday – by 330 runs at Emirates Old Trafford and draw level at 1-1 in the Investec Test Series.

The Worcestershire all-rounder returned second innings figures of 3-88 from 18.4 overs as Pakistan were dismissed for 234.

That gave the 29-year-old match figures of 5-131 from 26.2 overs.

Moeen made his first breakthrough today when opener Mohammad Hafeez (42) popped up a catch to Gary Ballance at short leg via an inside edge onto his pad.

Then Younus Khan (28) came down the pitch to Moeen and only succeeded in picking out Alex Hales at long on.

Moeen's third success came when leg spinner Yasir Shah (10) missed a pull and was trapped lbw after the ball struck his back leg.

Pakistan have looked to target Moeen with an aggressive approach when he comes into the attack.

But, although he has conceded around five runs an over in this match, Moeen has not lost the knack of picking up key wickets and at a healthy strike rate.

In the first innings he accounted for Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and Wahab Riaz. He had also dismissed Misbah and Younus in the second innings of the first Test at Lord's.