Woakes, Buttler turn tables on Pakistan to take England to unbelievable victory

MANCHESTER: All rounder Chris Woakes and wicketkeeper-batsman Jose Buttler snatched an unbelievable victory from the jaws of defeat as England recorded a three-wicket win over Pakistan in the last session on the fourth day of the first Test of the three-match series here at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Chasing a challenging target of 277, England lost five wickets for only 117 runs but Buttler and Woakes came to rescue and batted cautiously and confidently to add 139 runs for the sixth wicket partnership.

This was a remarkable achievement as only for the third time a team chased more than 200 to win in the fourth innings of a Test at Old Trafford, with England making 294-4 against New Zealand in 2008 and 231-3 against the West Indies at the Manchester ground in 2004.

Buttler made 75 from 101 balls with seven fours and a six while Woakes remained not out on 84. His 120-ball innings was laced with ten boundaries.

Earlier, England were set a challenging target of 277 to win  after Yasir Shah led a valuable late-order batting assault by the tourists. He made a quickfire 33 off just 24 balls, including five fours and a six.