This was a fantastic performance by England, as good as any I can think of.

During the final session on the fourth day I was sure that they had missed their moment by batting too slowly - they scored 111 runs in four hours and 20 minutes - and then by failing to attack Inzamam when he first came to the crease.

As it was, Inzamam's wicket just before the close was critical and set up a last day during which England fulfilled their promise and suggested that they now have the mental strength to seriously challenge Oz next summer.

It is difficult to single out anyone in particular but Graham Thorpe's innings was an incredible example of self control and skill. Few batsmen in the world could have matched his performance and without it England may not have been able to celebrate quite so monumentally the victory which they so deserved.

It was rewarding too that Pakistan's cynical approach to the last hour and a half when they played for darkness was exposed. Moin Khan is a good man and a good cricketer but he let the game down during that un-edifying period, thankfully the cricketing god's did their bit to see England home.

It's been a good tour, on and off the field. The whole England set-up should be pleased with the progress and achievement. A lot of streetwise cricket was played and, when it was necessary, the majority of the players were able to think on their feet which has not always been the case in recent years.

It has been said before but there is no doubt that the influence of the Nasser Hussain / Duncan Fletcher combination is immense. To see the basics done so well, to see such spirit and sheer bloody-mindedness is very gratifying.

The public relations side of things has improved considerably too. The players are more approachable than they have been since the days when team and press travelled together. In the main they interview enthusiastically and well and best of all are good company outside the day's play.

The siege mentality which made them diffident, sometimes quite sour looking, has gone. The people of Pakistan, who must have had reservations given what has gone before, have enjoyed having England here after so long.

Two players have emerged as Test cricketers of substance. Ashley Giles, who finishes the tour having taken the most wickets by any England bowler in Pakistan, has carried the attack without the luxury of a spin twin at the other end.

Poor Ian Salisbury has had a wretched time and surely cannot be taken to Sri Lanka. Giles' accuracy, patience and intelligence have earnt him his wickets especially against players who are supposedly so good against slow bowling. He took a couple of great catches as well and is a handy enough batsman coming in at number nine.

Craig White looks the part as a batsman primarily because he has played his shots and belied the meek, insecure image that appeared previously. Only Inzamam has consistently struck the ball as cleanly as White, which is something. When you add this to his knack of picking up a wicket when it is most needed you have a terrific all-round cricketer.

If his development continues the long and fruitless search for a consistent all-rounder should be over.

Mike Atherton has been fantastic, reborn almost from the man who was whispering of retirement a year or so ago. He played beautifully in Faisalabad and equally well for large chunks of his innings in Karachi. He can still get stuck which hinders England's momentum but these must be the slowest pitches in the world so it is harder for the others to push on around him. Mind you, along with Marcus Trescothick, he gave England a splendid start in the final run-chase and reminded us that when they have to be, the strokes are there.

The abiding memory of the last two months in Pakistan is of England's attitude not just to their cricket but to their role as ambassadors. The ghost of Shakoor Rana has been laid to rest and any challenge set before them now can be met with relish.