Pakistan whitewash England with third Test win

Pakistan's spinners "outclassed" England's batsmen for a thoroughly deserved 3-0 Test series whitewash in their Middle East 'home from home'.
Captain Misbah-ul-Haq knows that much, after today's 71-run success at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium completed the rout on the back of yet more wickets for Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman.
They and Misbah had all the answers to make a mockery of England's world number one status, yet the captain had to admit afterwards he did not have the words to describe exactly how much Pakistan's first whitewash of these opponents means to them and their country.

"I can't really describe how important this series was for us," he said, as he reflected on an entirely dominant performance throughout.
Pakistan, of course, must play their 'home' series hundreds of miles away from their native country because of ongoing political turmoil there.
They also began this first Test series against England since the spot-fixing scandal of 2010 still needing to distance themselves from the sins of those who represented Pakistan so dishonourably in the recent past.
"To win 3-0 is really a wonderful achievement for this team, especially with what was expected before the start against the top team in the world," Misbah added.
"We were expecting England might have problems, because of the slowness of the wickets here.
"I think our bowlers, our spinners, were really outstanding and they just outclassed their batting line-up."
Ajmal and Rehman inflicted a series of batting collapses on England over the past three weeks.
But in the final Test, Pakistan had to overcame a shambolic first innings of their own - which realised only 99.
From that moment, they barely put a foot wrong - limiting England's lead to 42 and then setting the opposition a near record target of 324 to win on the back of hundreds from Younus Khan and Azhar Ali.
"The bowlers did a great job to bowl them out for 141, and after that it was a wonderful performance from Azhar Ali and Younus Khan," said Misbah.

He has led Pakistan cricket from a state of ignominy less than two years ago to a point where they sense they can push the best 'home' and away.
"We came out of such problems, and the way the team is progressing is wonderful," he said.
"Everybody was ignoring Pakistan cricket and the team, and there were a lot of things said about the team.
"We showed the world again that we are a cricketing power."
Misbah is optimistic that his team can prove themselves in all conditions.
"That is another challenge, and this team loves challenges. Everybody is focusing on proving themselves outside Pakistan," he said.
"We've already performed really well in New Zealand and West Indies.
"We're looking forward to going to South Africa, Australia and doing well there. We are going to take this thing seriously.
"If you're good enough players, you can perform everywhere."

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