The Men in Green suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the English team after a marathon partnership of 139 runs by Chris Woakes (84) and Jos Buttler (75) took the game away from Pakistan.

Former Windies legend Michael Holding who was commentating on the game throughout believes that the pacers of Pakistan should have bowled short balls to Chris Woakes as he struggles with that line.

“He got hit on his head in the first innings and they saw that he was not playing the short ball well but yet they did not bowl too many short balls. By the time they started doing it, the ball was soft and the bowlers were weary,” he added.

Holding further added that the English all-rounder loves to play the ball outside the off-stump and the bowlers of Pakistan failed to bowl a consistent line to him. 

“I don’t think Pakistan took Woakes’ batting into consideration while analyzing England’s batsmen. If they would have watched his batting, they would know that Woakes loves the ball outside his off-stump,” Holding said. 

He also credited the duo of Woakes and Buttler that secured the match for England after being restricted to 117-5 in the chase of 277.

“Nevertheless, you have to give it to Woakes and Buttler because they put up a partnership of 139 runs and that pretty much took the game away from Pakistan,” he concluded.