It might have been Misbah-ul-Haq who made the promise to the army but the entire Pakistan team followed suit as they did pushups after the win against England. Having set a target of 283, Yasir Shah’s 10-wicket haul on his first Test outside Asia meant the visitors won by 75 runs.
Following their historic win, the entire Pakistan team lead by Younis Khan followed Misbah as they fulfilled the promise to the army by doing pushups. What was more impressive than the fact that everyone was doing it was the perfect synchronicity with which they did it.
Having resumed the final day with a lead of 281, Pakistan would have wanted to add some more runs to their total to be comfortable. But it took less than three overs for them to be bowled out as Stuart Broad ran through the tail to leave them with a target of 283, with Pakistan adding just one run to their overnight total.
In reply, Rahat Ali ensured that England’s top three were all back in the pavillion before lunch as he got rid of both openers and England’s best batsman in Joe Root. But just when it looked as though England were rebuilding, Yasir Shah, the nemesis from the first innings was back.
Although Jonny Bairstow and Chris Woakes held on valiantly, ultimately it was in vain as Yasir Shah got rid of both of them before Mohammad Amir removed the final batsman to hand Pakistan their first Test triumph at Lord's since 1996.
After the game, the entire Pakistan team emulated Misbah’s celebration as they all stood in a line and did pushups. It was lead by none other than Younis Khan and the entire team in perfect sync followed suit.
About his celebration initially, Misbah said that it was a promise to the army guys after their camp in Abbottabad. "We did a camp in Abbottabad before the skill camp in Lahore, and we used to do an honour code every time, we just stepped into the ground and did ten push-ups. And I promised them, if ever I score a hundred, I will definitely do that to remind you that we were there.”
He further added, “I did that and everybody wanted to do that. That sends a small tribute to all those army men who were working really hard (with us),”
“It is a dream to play at Lord’s especially getting a hundred. To have your name on the honours board is something special for all cricketers,” he said. “I rate this innings at the top in Test cricket. I am really happy about that.”
Misbah also went on to add that his drill sergeant would have asked him to do ten more as his arms were bent too much but the Pakistan team did it so well that no one in the ground would have anything to complain. And who would, as they recorded a famous win at Lord’s after 20 years with a bowling attack that had fewer wickets than Stuart Broad alone.
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