PAKISTAN v. ENGLAND

At Dacca, February 28, March 1, 2, 3. Drawn. Not only off-field were the circumstances of this match unsatisfactory. The pitch of hardened mud was also against good cricket. It began to break up before the end of the first innings. On the second afternoon, with the ball behaving extraordinarily, England collapsed and seemed set for defeat. However, though the ball continued to turn and lift, it subsequently did its tricks so slowly that survival at least was not difficult, and d'Oliveira played a superb match-saving innings with the gallant help of the tail-enders.

Though Asif and Mushtaq batted well on the first day, when Snow staged his best bowling performance of the tour, progress was always slow. The day closed at 176 for five from 87 overs. The left-arm spin of Pervez and Saeed's off-breaks caused the English break-down and shortly before the close of the second day they were 130 for seven. Then Snow stayed for an hour and three-quarters, Underwood nearly as long, and Cottam more than an hour while d'Oliveira played his magnificently resourceful innings. It lasted four and three-quarter hours, during which in such conditions he could hit only nine 4's.

When Underwood and Cottam then took the first three Pakistan wickets for 48, a win for England became a possibility. Just before the end of the third day, however, Underwood had Mushtaq missed at short leg with the score 77. That was the crucial event. Not even Underwood's left-arm spin and Cottam's leg cutter could overcome the slowness of the pitch on the last day. Slowly but surely Mushtaq, Saeed, who stayed three hours and twenty minutes for 33, and Majid steered Pakistan to safety and finally a token declaration.