More push-ups! Pakistan thank army trainers with cheeky celebration after Lord's win

Published July 18, 2016
Pakistan's players as they celebrate winning the first Test. — Reuters
Pakistan's players as they celebrate winning the first Test. — Reuters

Pakistan celebrated their victory over England in the first Test at Lord's on Sunday by performing a series of press-ups although defeated skipper Alistair Cook admitted it wasn't pleasant viewing.

Misbah-ul-Haq's side went on an army boot camp before the tour to improve their infamously poor fitness, and senior batsman Younis Khan led the squad in performing a routine of press-ups followed by a military-style salute in front of the ground's famous Pavilion.

Misbah, 42, had celebrated in similar fashion on the opening day on Thursday after reaching a hundred that helped set up his team's 75-run win.

“The team was really hoping that we get a chance, because I got a chance after scoring a hundred,” said Misbah, the oldest man to score a Test hundred in 82 years, of his press-up celebration.

“I did that and everybody wanted to do that. That sends a small tribute to all those army men who were working really hard (with us).”

England captain Alastair Cook, asked for his views on Pakistan's unusual post-match display, said: “You don't take any offence, but certainly at that emotive time it's not pleasant viewing.

“Certainly when you've lost a game of cricket for the first 20 minutes or so it's not pleasant.”

“They (Pakistan) are entitled to do what they want. It's united them and shows what a challenge we've got.”

But Cook, speaking ahead of next week's second Test in Manchester.

“Hopefully the cricketing gods might (turn in our favour at Old Trafford).”

Opinion

Editorial

Strange claim
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Strange claim

In all likelihood, Pakistan and US will continue to be ‘frenemies'.
Media strangulation
Updated 21 Dec, 2024

Media strangulation

Administration must decide whether it wishes to be remembered as an enabler or an executioner of press freedom.
Israeli rampage
21 Dec, 2024

Israeli rampage

ALONG with the genocide in Gaza, Israel has embarked on a regional rampage, attacking Arab and Muslim states with...
Tax amendments
Updated 20 Dec, 2024

Tax amendments

Bureaucracy gimmicks have not produced results, will not do so in the future.
Cricket breakthrough
20 Dec, 2024

Cricket breakthrough

IT had been made clear to Pakistan that a Champions Trophy without India was not even a distant possibility, even if...
Troubled waters
20 Dec, 2024

Troubled waters

LURCHING from one crisis to the next, the Pakistani state has been consistent in failing its vulnerable citizens....