Cricket: England crushed by Akhtar

England were blown away in the third and final test in Pakistan last night, as they collapsed from a comfortable 205-2 to 248 all out, losing the three-match series 2-0.

Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood had initially frustrated Pakistan, guiding England to 201-2 at lunch on the final day and closer to a face-saving draw.

But the first over after lunch kick-started the collapse. First to go was Paul Collingwood for 80, Hasan Raza taking the catch off leg-spinner Danish Kaneria's bowling.

Two overs later the pair combined again to dismiss Kevin Pietersen for one. In came England's talisman, Andrew Flintoff, but Kaneria snared his middle stump first ball.

Geraint Jones survived the hat-trick delivery but the very next over Shoaib Akhtar trapped Bell, lbw, for 92. Akhtar's lethal slower ball doing the damage. At 212-6, England desperately needed a partnership to steady the ship but Jones and Shaun Udal were never going to provide much resistance.

Jones fell lbw to Akhtar, although the wicketkeeper was unlucky as South Africa umpire Rudi Koertzen somehow managed to miss a blatant inside edge.

Another slower ball from Akhtar did for Liam Plunkett. The quickie finishing with figures of 5-71. Mohammad Sami weighed in with the wicket of Udal (25), whose edge landed safely into the hands of Salman Butt, before Matthew Hoggard was bowled by Kaneria for a duck.

Pakistan had a first innings lead of 348 runs, after declaring at 636-8 in reply to England's first innings total of 288. The home side's total included career bests of 223 by Mohammad Yousuf and 154 by Kamran Akmal.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY