Cricket: England rock Pakistan with early wicket haul at Headingley

LONDON (Reuters) - England made a bright start to their second test against Pakistan at Headingley on Friday, after being hammered at Lord’s last week, with Stuart Broad taking two early wickets and the visitors reduced to 68-4 at lunchtime.

After winning the toss in Leeds and opting to bat, Pakistan lost Imam ul-Haq for a duck when he was caught by captain Joe Root at third slip on the last ball of Broad’s first stint following a maiden over from James Anderson.

Imam could have gone four balls earlier when he was given lbw but the decision was overturned on review with tracking showing the delivery was going over the stumps.

Broad got his second, and 50th test wicket against Pakistan, when Azhar Ali was trapped lbw to leave Pakistan reeling on 17 for two.

Sam Curran, the 19-year-old replacing injured all-rounder Ben Stokes, had his first bowl in test cricket before the recalled Chris Woakes removed Haris Sohail (28) with the ball nicked into the hands of Dawid Malan.

Pakistan were at 49-3 with Usman Salahuddin making his test debut at number five, but England chalked up another wicket before the break with Asad Shafiq (27) caught by Alastair Cook off Woakes with the score 62-4.

Cook was playing a record 154th consecutive test, overtaking former Australia captain Alan Border as the player with the most tests in a row.

England need a win to avoid a third consecutive test series defeat, following a nine wicket defeat inside four days at Lord’s.

A draw or a win for Pakistan would be the visitors’ first series victory in England for 22 years.