How 'Bazball' outclassed 'timid' Pakistan?

Players celebrate after the win [Source: Associated Press]

Once a wise man said 'the smarter you work for something, the greater you will feel when you achieve it'.

This quote perfectly sums up Ben Stokes' calculated declaration on Day 4 of the first Test match against Pakistan.

Eyebrows were raised when England made a 'bold'  call and gave Pakistan the win on a silver platter (asking them to chase 343 in nearly 100 overs). Ben Stokes has always said that he wants to go for the kill and playing out for a draw is not in his radar. 

But with such an early declaration, cricket pundits called him 'over smart' and questioned the Bazball approach of this England side.

Flat track, hardly any movement off the surface and you expected Pakistan to chase down the total. But what followed was a tactical masterclass from the England skipper as the home side were pummelled in their own backyard by a relentless bowling attack, marshalled by Benjamin Stokes.

Stokes utilised his bowlers to perfection. He knew that the surface had nothing for the bowlers, so using them in longer spells will make them injury prone. Both Anderson and Robinson were used in short bursts so that they don't get tired.

Even at the Tea break on the final day, Pakistan needed just 85 to clinch the game. They were in the drivers seat, but as they say, cricket is a game of great uncertainty. The so called 'unpredictable' Pakistan side lost the momentum and threw away a game which they should have won.

The difference between the two sides was their batting approach. We often use the word 'intent' in cricket and England showed how ruthless they can be if they apply that word to use. 

The visitors batted for a mere 5 and a half sessions in the Test match and scored runs at well over 6.5 runs per over. Whereas, Pakistan batted for nearly 9 sessions, scored at a rate of just 3.5 runs per over and still lost the game by 74 runs. The aggressive route which England took with the bat proved to be the difference maker eventually.

Let's be honest, England could have batted Pakistan out of the game, but that would have meant their path to victory would have been trickier, considering that the pitch had stayed true to its nature and how easy it would have been for Pakistan to deadbat on a surface which had nothing for the bowlers.

Can I say that England stayed true to their word on changing the face of Test cricket?

Commitment to the brand just became a bit more meaningful.

With the pitch turning out to be a road and a nightmare for the bowlers, England perfectly used the ploy of short deliveries. Even someone like James Anderson, known for his swing and accurate lines and lengths was targeting the body.

The field placements were impeccable. With the short ball tactics, Stokes had a leg gully in place, even with the new ball. I can't forget the iconic image from this Test match. With the last wicket pair of Naseem Shah and Mohammad Ali battling it out, Stokes had all the fielders surrounding the batters like a hungry pack of wolves. 10/10 for Stokes as a skipper.

In the pre-match press conference, both Baz McCullum and Stokes insisted that they won't change their approach and will play their aggressive brand of cricket. So Pakistan already knew England's game-plan, and yet Babar and co. had no answer to the onslaught that was brought in Rawalpindi.

You call it an overrated term, you call it a game-changing term, but Bazball is here to stay and here to rule.

Also Read: Behind the Click: When Team India triumphed against all odds