A glorious, deserved victory for an England team growing in stature and confidence. In near darkness, with some rather distasteful delaying tactics in force from the home side, Thorpe and Hick added a determined 91, with plenty of singles, never letting up and being forced to play too many rash shots.

After Waqar disposed of Hick with 20 runs still required, out marched Hussain. He could have been forgiven for getting lost en route to the wicket, such was the quickly fading light affecting the outcome. With the conditions against him, he went for his shots, and on this day, luck was on his side. With just two over remaining Thorpe managed two fours of a weary Saqlain, and then an edged two to seal a fantastic victory that showed England's edge over the home side during the series.

Overnight, there was a thought, that fortress Karachi could be overcome. Pakistan had never lost a match. England's last victory here was their first match in 1961/62, so once the wickets began to tumble during the afternoon, so did the walls around Pakistan. They clearly have some thinking to do about selection and tactics.

England bowled with great enthusiasm and guile during the morning session, never letting up the pressure that was too much for Pakistan. Their sometimes brittle batting subsiding after Youhana and Elahi's 50 run stand ended when Pakistan's rock, Youhana edged a hook straight tot Stewart. Elahi went straight away, caught at bat/pad off Giles [<<left]. From 128 for 4, the last six wickets went down for 30 runs. Moin drove a white slower ball straight to Hussain at mid-off, and Gough finished matters, trapping last-man Kaneria in front, to leave England a very gettable 176 in 44 overs.

Pakistan would never have considered such a defeat after a promising first day, and a final total of 405. But man of the match Atherton's nine and a half hour 125, gave England security, even though most thought the game too far gone to produce a positive result.

The pitch was livelier than the previous two, and Pakistan could still not force the home advantage. England had again matched them, and shown great togetherness and team spirit throughout the tour. Unbeaten in first-class cricket, they bowled with vigour and a will to win that the home side were missing whenever England were in trouble.

This was a new England, now three successive series win's, albeit against mid-table opposition, but progression non the less. Five hours later they would be flying home, to a justly happy Christmas holiday.
Richard Kendall