Pakistan celebrate Test win with press-ups

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).’