Pakistan cricket team visits Manchester United's home ground Old Trafford
Putting aside the 330-run loss against hosts England in the second Test at Old Trafford, the Pakistan cricket team made a point to visit it’s more famous namesake – the iconic Old Trafford football stadium, home to one of the world’s most famous clubs, Manchester United – during the two-day rest after the match.
Heading into the four-match Test series as underdogs, Misbah-ul-Haq’s side had caused an upset of sorts when they beat England by 75 runs in the first Test held at Lord’s to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
While all the attention was on Mohammad Amir, who was making his return to Test cricket after being found guilty of spot-fixing at the same venue more than six years ago, it was the skipper himself, who hit a magnificent century and leg-spinner Yasir Shah who did the damage with his Man-of-the-Match winning ten-wicket haul.
However, as expected, the hosts made a strong comeback in the Old Trafford Test, winning the match within four Tests to leave the series evenly poised. Alastair Cook and Joe Root were the architects of England’s victory which came at a cost though as all-rounder Ben Stokes, who was making a return from injury with this match, picking up a calf injury, which could leave him on the sidelines for quite some time.
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Both sides will now get a small break time with the third Test, scheduled for Edgbaston beginning only on August 3. The visitors, however, have a two-day practice game lined up against Worcestershire for which the side started training on Thursday.
With such a long gap being offered, the Pakistan team decided to make the most of their visit by paying a visit to one of the most iconic football stadiums in the word. Head coach Mickey Arthur led a group of die-hard Manchester United fans from his side to visit the venue affectionately referred to as ‘The Theatre of Dreams’ owing to its proud and rich heritage.
A visit to Old Trafford is customary to many visiting cricketing teams with the Indian cricket team also making it during their tour of England in 2014. It has been revealed that the Pakistan cricket team and management along with their families were invited by Manchester United to visit Old Trafford and they made sure not to miss the opportunity as they turned up in huge numbers.
The Pakistan cricket team posted several pictures on their official Facebook page showcasing the players and staff savouring the history and sheer greatness of Old Trafford.