Pakistan v England

At Karachi, February 2, 3, 4, 6, 7. Drawn. Although on top for most of the game, England could not force victory on a pitch which became slower as the match progressed.

Because of fibrositis England were without Barrington. M.J.K. Smith, who would have dropped out, retained his place. White was included for the first time since Lahore. Pakistan brought back Fazal, their former captain, and he and Haseeb replaced Intikhab Alam and Mohammad Munaf.

Dexter lost the toss once more, making seven out of eight wrong calls in Tests on the tour. This time England did not regret their opponents batting first for, on a fairly fast pitch, Pakistan disappointed. White dismissed Imtiaz Ahmed with his first ball, but pulled a muscle after delivering only 16 balls and did not bowl again in the match.

Knight and Dexter caused further trouble and four wickets fell for 56. Dropped catches again let England down. Hanif, missed when 17 and 28, and Alim, dropped when 27 and 43, shared a stand of 92, but the only other reasonable partnership came for the eighth wicket, Fazal helping Alim add 49. Alim stayed three hours and three-quarters and his 109 included seventeen 4's.

England steadily built a strong position. Only two wickets fell on the second day when they made 219. Dexter and M. Smith put on 143 for the third wicket and Parfitt helped his captain add 188.

Dexter made the first double century of his career, batting eight and a quarter hours for 205 and hitting twenty-two 4's. His timing at first was not at its best, but later he produced many of his clean drives and he did not offer anything like a chance.

Parfitt continued the wearing-down process, only occasionally going over to the attack. England finished the third day 200 ahead with six wickets left, but were all out for the addition of 54 in ninety minutes. Parfitt completed his first Test century, batting five hours, ten minutes all told.

Pakistan, 254 behind, could hope only for a draw. Alim this time opened with Hanif and they began with 91. Hanif and Burki put on 82, but when both were out and Shuja failed, Pakistan were 256 for five, only two ahead and in danger of defeat. Hanif played a typically dour innings lasting almost five and a half hours. Imtiaz, after three successive ducks and Mushtaq made certain Pakistan saved the game by adding 81 for the sixth wicket.