Catch all the action of the second day of the second Test between England and Pakistan through our live commentary.
Day 1 Review:
England were 106 for two in reply to Pakistan's first innings 174, a deficit of 68 runs, at the close of the first day of the second Test at Headingley on Friday. Joe Root, the England captain, was 29 not out and nightwatchman Dominic Bess unbeaten on nought. Earlier, Pakistan were bowled out for 174 before tea on the first day of the second test at Headingley after England's Stuart Broad ripped through the tourists' upper order. England were hammered at Lord's last week in the opening test and will take encouragement from a strong performance from the bowlers. Pakistan, who were 79 for seven, had Shadab Khan to thank for helping them to a more respectable total thanks to a lively 56 and a 43-run ninth wicket partnership with Hasan Ali. 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 Stuart 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. After lunch, James Anderson, finding a fuller length than in the morning, bowled Sarfraz Ahmed and then had Faheem Ashraf while Broad picked up his third wicket as he removed Usman Salahuddin lbw. Mohammed Amir was next to go - unwisely chasing a wide Anderson delivery and edging to Johnny Bairstow before the aggressive effort from Shadab and Hasan frustrated England's attempt to quickly deal with the tail. Shadab's 56 off 52 balls included ten fours before he was caught at midwicket by Keaton Jennings to give left-arm seamer Sam Curran his maiden test wicket. Anderson, Broad and Chris Woakes all finished with three wickets. 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.
Playing XIs:
England: Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Joe Root (c), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Jos Buttler, Chris Woakes, Dominic Bess, Sam Curran, Stuart Broad, James Anderson
Pakistan: Azhar Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq, Usman Salahuddin, Sarfraz Ahmed (c & wk), Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas
Commentary (England innings)
So, even though we had rain at the start, it was an interesting day's play. Pakistan will hope that they clean up the tail and come out to bat within the first session itself. England will pray Buttler continues to toil with the visitors. Overcast conditions tomorrow as well. We just hope rain has other plans. Joins us for Day 3 on Sunday at 1100 local (1000 GMT). Goodnight and cheers!
Pakistan were not all that bad with the ball. They picked up wickets at important phases and didn't allow England to build a daddy partnership. They got the skipper before Tea and in the last session got 4 wickets to claim one piece of the pie. Amir was perfect with the old ball and he got it to swing picking up 2 scalps. Ashraf too, bagged a brace and the rest chipped in with a wicket each.
Another day which belongs to the hosts. Nobody got big scores but it was enough to take their lead to 128. Rain washed away the entire first session today. Just when we thought we wouldn't get any more action, it started to ease and the patient fans got their penny's worth. Root and Bess countered from the beginning and were looking good. The skipper departed failing to reach his fifty. Malan then gave Bess company, getting 62 runs together. The latter who was on course to get back-to-back fifties, fell just one short. Bairstow, Woakes and Buttler stuck in and made handy contributions towards the end. The ODI keeper is still there and England will hope he adds as many as possible with the tail.
95.6 H Ali to Curran, Curran defends the good length delivery, just outside off and ends another day's play. STUMPS ON DAY 2! 302/7
95.5 H Ali to Curran, FOUR! He is no rookie, mind you! First, he tackles the short ball with some skill and now, he puts the full ball with another authoritative shot. Ali backs the short ball with the fuller one on the stumps but doesn't get the result he would have hoped for. Curran presents the full face of the bat and punches it through mid off, the fielder there had no chance of stopping it. The lead swells to 128 with just one ball remaining in the day. 302/7
95.4 H Ali to Sam Curran, FOUR! This is some shot from the debutant! Ali won't be too happy. He bowls it short into the body and Curran gets on top of the bounce and pulls the trigger. The ball barely touches the ground as it zipped to the square leg boundary. The lead is getting dangerous for Pakistan now. 298/7
95.3 H Ali to Curran, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 294/7
95.2 H Ali to Curran, Short of a length angling into the batsman and Curran gets behind the delivery nicely to defend it. 294/7
95.1 H Ali to Curran, Shows the full face of the bat to the shortish delivery and blocks it from the back foot. 294/7
94.6 M Abbas to Buttler, Shuffles down the pitch and lets one through to the keeper. 294/7
94.5 M Abbas to Curran, Full and outside off, Curran pushes it to the cover region and steals a single. 294/7
94.4 M Abbas to Curran, BEAUTY! Bowls from around the wicket, angling into the batsman and straightens after pitching. The left-hander tries to block the delivery from his crease but it whizzes past his outside edge. 293/7
94.3 M Abbas to Curran, Bangs in and misses his radar with his line. The ball goes way down the leg side and Sarfraz jogs to his right to collect it. 293/7
94.2 M Abbas to Sam Curran, FOUR! Streaky but these count. Bowls a good length delivery outside off, Curran goes for the booming drive from his crease. He gets an inside edge and the ball races away for a boundary behind the wicket. 293/7
94.1 M Abbas to Curran, A bumper outside off from Abbas which goes well over head height. Curran sways away to let it pass. 289/7
93.6 H Ali to Buttler, Buttler chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. 289/7
93.5 H Ali to Curran, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. 289/7
93.4 Ali to Curran, Does well to keep the yorker at bay. 288/7
93.3 H Ali to Curran, Curran misses the line of the delivery and gets beaten. 288/7
93.2 H Ali to Curran, Stays back in his crease and defends it. 288/7
93.1 H Ali to Curran, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 288/7
92.6 M Abbas to Curran, The ball has taken the inside edge of Curran's bat and goes down the leg side. They pick up a single. 288/7
92.5 M Abbas to Curran, Sam plays it to the point region. 287/7
92.4 M Abbas to Curran, The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. 287/7
92.3 M Abbas to Curran, Driven through covers by Curran. 287/7
92.2 M Abbas to Curran, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. 287/7
92.1 M Abbas to Curran, Curran gets hit on his thigh pad. 287/7
91.6 H Ali to Buttler, Defended off the front foot by Buttler presenting the full face of the bat. 287/7
91.5 H Ali to Buttler, Buttler drives it to the mid on region 287/7
91.4 H Ali to Sam Curran, Curran gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. 287/7
91.3 H Ali to Buttler, That ball has taken the inside edge of Buttler's bat and onto his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single. 286/7
91.2 H Ali to Buttler, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. 285/7
91.1 H Ali to Buttler, That ball has struck the Buttler on his thigh-pad. 285/7
90.6 M Abbas to Curran, On a good length outside off, Curran tries to play the delivery from his crease but fails to put ball on bat. 285/7
90.5 M Abbas to Curran, Looks to defend the good length delivery but the swing takes it away from him and beats his bat. 285/7
90.4 M Abbas to Curran, Gets behind the shortish delivery and guides it straight to the point fielder. 285/7
90.3 M Abbas to Curran, Widish delivery, the batsman shoulders his arms. 285/7
90.2 M Abbas to Curran, Similar length, gets into the three stumps and the batsman blocks it. 285/7
90.1 M Abbas to Curran, On a good length just outside off and the batsman gets behind the line of the delivery to defend it. 285/7
89.6 M Amir to Buttler, Maiden for Amir. Bowls it outside off, Buttler does not play at it. Sam Curran will face the next over. 285/7
89.5 M Amir to Buttler, Outside off, too far to make Buttler play at it. Pakistan need to try and keep Sam on strike. 285/7
89.4 M Amir to Buttler, Pitches it up again, Buttler pushes it to mid off. 285/7
89.3 M Amir to Buttler, Length outside off, Buttler shoulders his arms. 285/7
89.2 M Amir to Buttler, Outside off, this time an easy leave for Jos. 285/7
89.1 M Amir to Buttler, Fuller ball outside off, Buttler plays across the wrong line and gets beaten. 285/7
Debutant Sam Curran is the new man in.
88.6 M Abbas to Woakes, OUT! Woakes looked edgy throughout his stay and finally managed to get one to the keeper. Abbas bowls it on a good length, angling it into the batsman and straightening it from middle and off. Woakes hangs his bat at it from the crease and gets a faint edge. Sarfraz takes an easy catch behind the wickets and England lose their seventh wicket. Can Pakistan polish the tail quickly? 285/7
88.5 M Abbas to Woakes, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 285/6
88.4 M Abbas to Buttler, Bumper form Abbas, Buttler shuffles and swivels and guides it to the fine leg fielder. Another run added to the total. 285/6
88.3 M Abbas to Buttler, Stays tall and punches the short of a length delivery to the off side. 284/6
88.2 M Abbas to Buttler, Walks down the track and punches the ball to covers. He is trying to counter the swing with his movement. 284/6
88.1 M Abbas to Buttler, On a good length outside off, Buttler lets it go pass to the keeper. 284/6
87.6 M Amir to Woakes, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. 284/6
87.5 M Amir to Woakes, Full and outside the off stump, Woakes punches the ball to the off side. 284/6
87.4 M Amir to Woakes, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. 284/6
87.3 M Amir to Woakes, FOUR! Full and on middle and leg, Woakes goes at it with hard hands and manages to get a thick bottom edge. He gets enough on the ball as it races to the mid-wicket boundary. The fielder form short mid-wicket and square leg gave it a chase but they were never going to stop it. 284/6
87.2 M Amir to Woakes, Pitches on length and jags back in with pace. Woakes tries to get something on the delivery but fails to do so. The ball hits his thigh pad and drops on the off side. 280/6
87.1 M Amir to Buttler, On Buttler's hips, who does well to flick it to square leg and takes a single. 280/6
86.6 M Abbas to Woakes, On a good length, swinging into the batsman who misses to get bat on ball from the front foot. The ball thuds into his pads, appeal from behind the wicket but the umpire is unmoved. 279/6
86.5 M Abbas to Woakes, On a good length outside off, Woakes is happy to let it go. 279/6
86.4 M Abbas to Woakes, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 279/6
86.3 M Abbas to Woakes, Guides the good length delivery to point. 279/6
86.2 M Abbas to Woakes, Woakes gets forward to keep out the fuller ball. 279/6
86.1 M Abbas to Woakes, Beaten! Just outside off and on a good length. Woakes hangs his bat and gets beaten. 279/6
85.6 M Amir to Buttler, Chooses to leave the ball outside off. 279/6
85.5 M Amir to Woakes, Punches the good length delivery on the up to the cover fielder who doesn't collect it cleanly. The ball rolls wide of mid off and the batsmen change strike. 279/6
85.4 M Amir to Woakes, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 278/6
85.3 M Amir to Woakes, Punched off the back foot to point. 278/6
85.2 M Amir to Woakes, Angled away on a good length. Woakes fails to get bat on that. 278/6
85.1 M Amir to Woakes, On a short of a length angling away from the batsman who stands tall and defends it. 278/6
84.6 M Abbas to Buttler, On a good length, just outside the off stump. Buttler drives it straight to the mid on fielder. 278/6
84.5 M Abbas to Buttler, Full and outside off, defended with authority. 278/6
84.4 M Abbas to Buttler, Gets behind the shortish delivery and blocks it with the straight bat. 278/6
84.3 M Abbas to Buttler, Keeps it outside off, Buttler is happy to let it pass. 278/6
84.2 M Abbas to Buttler, Goes for a wide one but misses. 278/6
84.1 M Abbas to Buttler, Abbas brings it into Buttler who gets an inside edge on to his pads. 278/6
83.6 F Ashraf to Woakes, OOH! This jags back in ferociously and almost kisses the off stump. Woakes thought he had it covered but the natural angle and the inswing almost made him regret his decision. In the end, it's a good leave. 278/6
83.5 F Ashraf to Woakes, The batsman goes after a wide one and misses. 278/6
83.4 F Ashraf to Woakes, Outside off, Woakes lets it go. 278/6
83.3 F Ashraf to Buttler, Too full from Ashraf and Buttler shuffles across his stumps and flicks it wide of the mid-wicket fielder. Three runs added to the total. Buttler looking better and better with every shot. 278/6
83.2 F Ashraf to Buttler, The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact. 275/6
83.1 F Ashraf to Woakes, Outside off, Woakes gets bat to ball and collects the single from the third man region. EDGY! 275/6
82.6 M Abbas to Woakes, England's lead is 100 now. Another good length delivery outside off and hard hands from the batsman. Gets a thickish outside edge but the fielder at third man recently deployed at the boundary keeps it under one. 274/6
82.5 M Abbas to C Woakes, FOUR! Outside off on a fullish length. Woakes goes hard at the ball and gets a thick outside edge. Once it goes past the gully fielder, there was no stopping it. Second boundary of the over. 273/6
82.4 M Abbas to Woakes, Short of a length angling in to the body. The batsman gets behind the delivery and defends it. 269/6
82.3 M Abbas to Woakes, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. 269/6
82.2 M Abbas to Woakes, On a good length and the ball jags back in sharply and hits the batsman on his pads. 269/6
82.1 M Abbas to Woakes, FOUR! Full, on middle and leg, Woakes picks it and send it to mid-wicket boundary. Abbas hasn't bowled too well in this innings and he has started again with a loose one. 269/6
Mohammad Abbas into the attack.
81.6 F Ashraf to Buttler, Outside off, left for the keeper. 265/6
Strange! Pakistan take the second new ball with one ball of the over left. Can they bowl them out today with the new cherry?
81.5 F Ashraf to Woakes, On a good length and jagging back into the new batsman. Woakes does well to guide the ball to the fine leg region for another single. 265/6
81.4 F Ashraf to Jos Buttler, Short of a length angling into the body. Buttler swivels and guides the ball to deep square leg and takes a single. 264/6
81.3 F Ashraf to Buttler, He is keeping it outside off for Buttler, who didn't offer a shot. 263/6
81.2 F Ashraf to Buttler, A touch too wide and the batsman stays away. 263/6
81.1 F Ashraf to Buttler, Pitches outside off and comes in with the angle. Jos is happy to let it pass. 263/6
80.6 S Khan to Jos Buttler, Tossed up outside off, knocked through covers for one. 263/6
80.5 S Khan to Woakes, Flatter on the pads, worked away through backward square leg to get off the mark. 262/6
80.4 S Khan to Woakes, Flatter on the stumps, defended from the crease. 261/6
80.3 S Khan to Buttler, Punched off the back foot through covers for one. 261/6
80.2 S Khan to Buttler, Flatter outside off, cut away towards point. 260/6
80.1 S Khan to Buttler, Almost straight to the man! Khan serves it on a shortish length on the stumps, Buttler goes back to punch it through mid on. Ends up getting it off the inner half and on the bounce to mid-wicket. 260/6
Chris Woakes makes his way to the middle now.
Drinks are on the field. Pakistan's drink might just taste sweeter with the latest scalp. They have managed to pick up three wickets post the Tea interval. Bairstow and Buttler looked good but they have just brought England 86 runs in front. How will the last phase before the close pan out?
79.6 F Ashraf to Bairstow, OUT! Faheem Ashraf has the last laugh! He almost got Bairstow LBW in his previous over. Now after getting hit for a couple of boundaries, he sends the English wicketkeeper back to the pavilion. He goes wide of the crease and angles it in on a length. Jonny stands tall and looks to block. But all he manages to do is edge it straight to the keeper, where Sarfraz Ahmed doesn't commit a folly. England's lead is 14 short of getting to the triple figure mark. Well, this wicket could well influence Pakistan's decision to opt or not for the second new ball. 260/6
79.5 F Ashraf to Bairstow, FOUR! Bairstow is just toying with the field now. A third man was in place as a response to the previous boundary. Jonny gets a length ball and he punches it through covers for another boundary. Wonderful. 260/5
79.4 F Ashraf to Bairstow, FOUR! Easily done. Length ball outside off, Bairstow hangs back and lets it come. After that he just opens the face of the bat to guide it past gully. Once that man is cleared, a boundary it is. 256/5
79.3 F Ashraf to Bairstow, Length ball outside off, moving in a touch. Jonny chops it towards cover-point and shouts WAIT. 252/5
79.2 F Ashraf to Jos Buttler, Short in length outside off, Buttler fetches his pull and gets it in front of square on the leg side to get to the other end. 252/5
79.1 F Ashraf to Buttler, Full outside off, Jos blocks. 251/5
78.6 S Khan to Bairstow, Hit straight to the man at covers off the front foot. The second new ball is due in an over now. 251/5
78.5 S Khan to Bairstow, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 251/5
78.4 S Khan to Bairstow, Flatter on the stumps, punched towards mid on. 251/5
78.3 S Khan to Bairstow, FOUR! Floated full outside off, Bairstow gets around it and drives it crisply through covers. Hasan Ali sweeping in the deep tried to reach it but ended up being second best. 251/5
78.2 S Khan to Bairstow, A forward defense displayed to this one in line of the stumps. 247/5
78.1 S Khan to Bairstow, Floated outside off, pushed towards covers. 247/5
77.6 F Ashraf to Bairstow, Pushed towards covers for one. 247/5
77.5 F Ashraf to Bairstow, NOT OUT! Huge cheers across the ground as soon as the Ball Tracking was shown. MISSING THE STUMPS! Excellent use of the DRS. Faheem runs in from over the wicket and lands it on a length outside off. It is angled in as well. Looking at the initial landing, Bairstow decides to take a stride forward and shoulder arms. The ball, however, moves in a great deal as if there was a magnet pulling it. Ends up hitting Jonny's front pad's flap. The tourists appeal and umpire Bruce Oxenford upholds it. England's Test keeper and the ODI keeper have a chat and decide to take it upstairs. Hawk Eye comes on and gives relief to Jonny and cheers to the crowd. 246/5
Gone? Bairstow offers no shot and is given the marching orders. But he has a chat with his partner and takes it upstairs.
77.4 F Ashraf to Bairstow, Jonny goes back and plays it towards point. 246/5
A huge Mexican wave is on at the ground. Sometimes, when the game seems to be moving monotonously, such incidents can spur everybody up.
77.3 F Ashraf to Bairstow, Full and angling in on middle and leg, pushed towards mid on. 246/5
77.2 F Ashraf to Buttler, Length ball around off, Jos walks down and across and flicks it through mid-wicket for one. 246/5
77.1 F Ashraf to Buttler, Full on off, kept out with a straight bat. 245/5
Faheem Ashraf is brought on for another burst.
76.6 S Khan to Bairstow, The batsman gets a bottom edge on that one. 245/5
76.5 S Khan to Buttler, Eased away through the cover region for one more. 245/5
76.4 S Khan to Buttler, This one is pushed straight to covers. 244/5
76.3 S Khan to Bairstow, Googly around off, pushed down the ground through mid on for one. 244/5
76.2 S Khan to Buttler, Buttler goes back and punches it off the back foot through covers for one. 243/5
76.1 S Khan to Buttler, Tossed up outside off, powered straight to covers. 242/5
75.6 H Ali to Bairstow, Jonny stays in the crease and blocks that one. 242/5
75.5 H Ali to Bairstow, This one is kept out off the front foot. 242/5
75.4 H Ali to Buttler, Lovely. Short ball, Buttler pulls it away through mid-wicket. Faheem from deep square leg rushes to his left, dives and makes a half-stop. The ball goes further away from him. He gathers himself, then gets to the ball and returns it. In the interim, three runs were taken. 242/5
75.3 H Ali to Buttler, Nice comeback. Ali lands it on a length outside off, it nibbles away ever so slightly. Buttler hangs his bat at it but gets beaten. 239/5
75.2 H Ali to Jos Buttler, FOUR! And next up he plays a delightful stroke, Jos Buttler. Overpitched around middle and leg from Ali. Jos maintains his balance and pushes it down the ground past mid on. The timing is such that the ball goes to the fence in a trice. 239/5
The physio is out in the middle to tend to Jos. He has some drinks and seems pretty good. He's good to go now.
75.1 H Ali to Buttler, Ooof! That's pinged Buttler on the back of the helmet. Thank god for that protection on the back. What's with these attacking English batters? We saw Malan get a blow on his helmet earlier and here's Jos now. Goes for the pull and takes his eyes off the ball. Misses it completely to get rapped on the protective gear behind the helmet below the right ear. The ball then rolls towards point. Buttler signals a thumbs up to say he's alright. 235/5
74.6 S Khan to Bairstow, Served in line of the stumps, Bairstow keeps it out awkwardly. 235/5
74.5 S Khan to Bairstow, This one is punched off the back foot to the off side. 235/5
74.4 S Khan to Buttler, Tossed up on middle and off, Buttler clears his front leg and drives it all along the ground to long off for one. 235/5
74.3 S Khan to Buttler, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. 234/5
74.2 S Khan to Bairstow, Floated outside off, pushed towards long off for one. 234/5
74.1 S Khan to Bairstow, Bairstow goes back and punches it towards covers. 233/5
73.6 H Ali to Buttler, Fuller outside off, Buttler gets it off the outer half towards gully. 233/5
73.5 H Ali to Buttler, Outside off, left alone. 233/5
Footy skills! The ball rolled towards the umpire, after it became dead. Bruce Oxenford displayed his football skills by lifting it up a la rainbow style in that sport.
73.4 H Ali to Buttler, Full ball on off, defended with a straight bat. 233/5
73.3 H Ali to Buttler, Length ball well outside off. Buttler lets it be and watches it sail into the keeper's mitts. 233/5
73.2 H Ali to Buttler, Jos keeps this one out with a straight bat. 233/5
73.1 H Ali to Buttler, Fullish around off, defended from within the crease. 233/5
72.6 S Khan to Bairstow, Jonny goes back and punches this to mid on for nothing. 233/5
72.5 S Khan to Bairstow, Flighted ball on off, defended with a lunge. 233/5
72.4 S Khan to Bairstow, FOUR! Full toss is a gift. And not many reject gifts just like that. Bairstow takes it and smashes it down the ground for a boundary. Shadab perhaps is losing his control now. 233/5
72.3 S Khan to Buttler, Floated outside off, pushed through covers for one. Buttler moves to 13 off just 11. 229/5
72.2 S Khan to Buttler, Quicker and shorter in length around off. Buttler goes back and punches it to mid off. 228/5
72.1 S Khan to Buttler, Tossed up outside off, driven to covers. 228/5
71.6 H Ali to Bairstow, Maiden to start the spell for Ali. This is outside off, Bairstow lets it be. 228/5
71.5 H Ali to Bairstow, Outside off on a length, left alone. 228/5
71.4 H Ali to Bairstow, Outside off on a length, cut away towards point. 228/5
71.3 H Ali to Bairstow, Length ball outside off, Bairstow has a feel for it but gets beaten. 228/5
71.2 H Ali to Bairstow, Jonny stays on the back foot and blocks. 228/5
71.1 H Ali to J Bairstow, Full on off, driven to mid off. 228/5
Hasan Ali is back into the attack. Can he make up for the drop?
70.6 S Khan to Buttler, Driven towards the mid off region. 12 runs off the over, with a potential wicket-taking chance gone down. 228/5
70.5 S Khan to Buttler, Outside off, driven towards covers. 228/5
70.4 S Khan to Jos Buttler, FOUR! Clever this time. Quicker and flatter outside off, Jos goes back and steers it through gully for another boundary. Third boundary in the over. 228/5
70.3 S Khan to Buttler, FOUR! Put down by Ali! Not someone you would want to give another chance, specially in the mood that he is in currently. Buttler clears his front leg and looks to hoick it over mid-wicket. Ends up getting it off the inner half of his bat to Ali there, who stretched to his right after kneeling down and gets a hand to it but fails to hold on. The power in that shot is evident from the fact that the ball has still gone to the fence. 224/5
70.2 S Khan to Buttler, Quicker googly on the pads, Jos misses the flick and wears it on the pads. 220/5
70.1 S Khan to Buttler, FOUR! Jos Buttler is a good player of spin. He showed that to the world in the Indian T20 League, he's showing it to us now. Khan floats this one generously outside off. Buttler reaches out to that and smashes it through covers. Neither the man at covers nor did the one at mid off stood a chance of cutting that off. 220/5
69.6 M Amir to Bairstow, The batsman gets a bottom edge on that one. 216/5
69.5 M Amir to Bairstow, Worked away towards square leg from the crease. 216/5
69.4 M Amir to Bairstow, Four Byes! That swung prodigiously! Amir spears it full and starts it from around leg. The ball tails further down the leg side, missing Bairstow's attempted flick. Ahmed behind dives but can't do more than getting a finger tip to that. 216/5
69.3 M Amir to Bairstow, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 212/5
69.2 M Amir to Bairstow, Hurled on a length outside off, left alone. 212/5
69.1 M Amir to Bairstow, Full on the stumps, driven towards mid on. 212/5
68.6 S Khan to Buttler, Tossed up outside off, driven powerfully to the man at covers. 212/5
68.5 S Khan to Buttler, Floated on off, defended with a lunge. 212/5
Jos Buttler is in next.
68.4 S Khan to D Bess, OUT! Well, well! Every run matters in cricket and every mark matters in academics. This would be a harsh realisation for Bess, who falls just one short of what would have been another half century for him. Shadab floats this one outside off, the length is a bit short. It rises a bit more than expected. Bess goes back to punch but fails to account for the extra bounce. The ball goes off the outside edge and lands in Asad Shafiq's hands at slip. Bess was brought into the side as a bowler but he is yet to pick up a wicket and has almost two fifties in two innings. Can Pakistan wrap this up soon? 212/5
68.3 S Khan to Bess, FOUR! Streaky yet effective. Takes Bess to one short of his second Test fifty. Khan tosses it outside off, Dominic takes it on the full. Looks to play the cover drive but ends up getting a thick outside edge past slip for a boundary. 212/4
68.2 S Khan to Bess, Floated outside off, driven to covers for none. 208/4
68.1 S Khan to Bairstow, Flatter on the pads, worked away round the corner for one. 208/4
67.6 Amir to Bess, SAFE! Pitching is the problem, as it is outside leg. Amir bowls this one from over the wicket, it moves in a bit after landing. Bess misses the defense and the ball strikes him high on the front pad. The Pakistan players appeal but the umpire stays unmoved. Height seems to be a factor initially. But the Hawk Eye shows that the ball pitched outside leg. Matter over, review lost. 207/4
Late call to go up for a review from Pakistan! Perhaps Amir insisted on it. There's a huge LBW appeal against Bess which was turned down. Height seems to be the factor.
67.5 M Amir to Bairstow, Length ball on the hips, Bairstow rides that extra bounce well and tucks it to fine leg to get off the mark. 207/4
67.4 M Amir to Bess, Shortish outside off, cut away square on the off side for a single. 206/4
67.3 M Amir to Bess, FOUR! Yes, it was a double bluff! Amir delivers this one fuller and outside off. Bess has his weight on the back foot. Yet, he reaches out to this one and nails the cover drive. Gets a boundary that takes him to 44. 205/4
Change in field. A deep square leg in place. Bouncer coming up or a double bluff?
67.2 M Amir to Bess, Almost an action replay of the previous one. Played to point from the crease. 201/4
67.1 M Amir to Bess, Bess stands tall, lets the angled-away ball come to him and steers it towards point. 201/4
66.6 S Khan to Bairstow, A touch shorter this time, Bairstow goes back and mistimes his punch to covers. 201/4
66.5 S Khan to Bairstow, Jonny lunges and buries it onto the ground. 201/4
66.4 S Khan to Bairstow, Loopy ball outside off, Bairstow bunts it from the crease. 201/4
66.3 S Khan to Bairstow, Flipper around off, Bairstow presents a straight defensive bat to that. 201/4
66.2 S Khan to J Bairstow, Tossed up outside off, driven to covers. 201/4
66.1 S Khan to Bairstow, Slower through the air outside off, there is a bit of spin away. Jonny reaches out and blocks. 201/4
65.6 M Amir to Bess, Nicely blocked off the front foot. So a wicket-maiden for Amir. 201/4
65.5 M Amir to Bess, Angling away from Bess, pushed towards covers for nothing. 201/4
65.4 M Amir to Bairstow, Fuller on the pads, Bairstow misses the flick and gets hit on the pads. The ball then rolls to the on side even as Pakistan put in a stifled appeal that is unsuccessful. Leg bye signaled as the batters change ends. 201/4
65.3 M Amir to Bairstow, Full on off, pushed to the on side off the front foot. 200/4
65.2 M Amir to Bairstow, Fuller on off, Jonny presents a straight defensive bat in defense. 200/4
The next man in for England is Jonny Bairstow. He got a jaffa in the previous game. Amir was the bowler then, he's gonna have a go at the English keeper again.
65.1 M Amir to D Malan, OUT! Easy peasy! Pakistan get the breakthrough right after the break. Amir's introduction bears fruit immediately. He goes wide of the crease and angles it in from outside off. Malan is stuck in his crease with his bat hanging out. The ball does the needful of taking the outside edge and flying towards first slip. Haris Sohail there makes no mistake in gobbling that up. Perhaps there was some extra bounce, as the batter's action later suggests. The lead stays at 26. 200/4
Mohammad Amir to have a go from the other end.
64.6 S Khan to Bess, Slower through the air outside off, Bess lets it come to him and guides it to backward point. 200/3
64.5 S Khan to Bess, Flighted delivery around off, Bess blocks with a lunge. 200/3
64.4 S Khan to Malan, 200 up for England! Malan flicks this away through backward square leg and gets to the other end to bring the landmark. The lead swells to 26. 200/3
64.3 S Khan to Malan, Tossed up around off, Malan goes back and wrists it away to mid-wicket. 199/3
64.2 S Khan to Malan, Quicker this time, worked away to the on side for nothing. 199/3
64.1 S Khan to Malan, Begins from around the wicket and floats it full around off and middle. Malan pushes it back towards the bowler. 199/3
We're back for the final segment of play. Bess' batting heroics in the last Test notwithstanding, here's playing another one here. He's ten short of his second Test fifty. Dawid Malan gives him company. There are 32 overs left in the day's play. Shadab Khan to bowl the first of those.
... DAY TWO, SESSION THREE ...
Malan took his place in the middle and started tentatively. Meanwhile, yesterday's nightwatchman, Dominic Bess was resolute to make Pakistan suffer. He, along with his left-handed partner, put the foot on the pedal and kept chipping away with runs. They have added 61 runs for the fourth wicket and steered their team to a better position. The lead has grown to 25 runs now and both the batsmen should look to bat for another session to take the upper-hand in the game. Pakistan, on the other hand, need a lot of wickets. See you on the other side.
Another session goes to England! It was a late start to the day's play and everyone thought it would be difficult for the home team to bat under the overcast conditions. But they have proved their critics wrong. Bess and Root were pro-active in the beginning and gathered runs wherever the opportunity presented itself. They were going great guns but Amir had a set plan in his mind. He kept on probing Root outside the off stump and eventually made him edge one to the keeper.
63.6 F Ashraf to Bess, Good length ball around off, Bess covers his stumps and blocks it well. That's TEA, on DAY 2. 199/3
63.5 F Ashraf to Bess, Short again from Ashraf on off, Bess stands tall and gets it off his glove into the ground. 199/3
63.4 F Ashraf to Bess, Played to the point region by DB. 199/3
63.3 F Ashraf to D Malan, Short again, this time Malan pulls it in front of square. There's a man patrolling the deep square leg region. They cross. 199/3
63.2 F Ashraf to Malan, OUCH! He got hit from Hasan Ali in Lord's and again here today from Ashraf. Faheem digs it short on middle and leg, Malan goes for the pull but misses the ball. Gets hit on the back of the helmet but no damage done. 198/3
63.1 F Ashraf to Malan, Faheem comes running in from over the wicket and serves it on a good length around off. It moves away after pitching and Malan points his bat skywards to let it go. 198/3
62.6 S Khan to Malan, Half tracker and the batsman flicks it off his pads for another single. 198/3
62.5 S Khan to Malan, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 197/3
62.4 S Khan to Malan, A lot of spin from outside the off. Malan tries to get to the pitch of the delivery but it misses his bat and goes down the leg side. It then goes off Ahmed's gloves towards short fine leg. 197/3
62.3 S Khan to Malan, Floater from Shadab and Malan plays it from the front foot and into the ground. 197/3
62.2 S Khan to Malan, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 197/3
62.1 S Khan to Bess, Punches the shortish delivery off the back foot and takes a single towards the cover region. 197/3
61.6 F Ashraf to Malan, Shoulders his arms to the delivery outside off. 196/3
61.5 F Ashraf to Malan, A short of a length of delivery just outside off and the batsman punches it back off the back foot. 196/3
61.4 F Ashraf to Malan, Another shortish delivery into his rib cage. Malan does well to block it on the on side. 196/3
61.3 F Ashraf to Malan, A bit too straight from Ashraf, on the stumps and the batsman blocks it . 196/3
61.2 F Ashraf to Malan, A touch fuller this time and makes the batsman play, who plays at it from his crease to the off side. 196/3
61.1 F Ashraf to Malan, On a good length outside off, Malan lets the ball go. 196/3
60.6 S Khan to Bess, Another wrong 'un, Bess picks it up and plays it back to the bowler. 196/3
60.5 S Khan to Malan, Some turn for Khan, gives this air on off, Malan turns his bat to the leg side and gets one. 196/3
60.4 S Khan to Malan, Tossed up leg break, Malan gets forward and taps it to short mid-wicket. 195/3
60.3 S Khan to Malan, Wrong 'un, Bess works it to the leg side. 195/3
60.2 S Khan to D Bess, Tossed up ball on off, Bess hits it to mid off. 195/3
60.1 S Khan to Bess, Leg break from Shadab, Bess tries to cut it late but gets a bottom edge towards the slip region. 194/3
59.6 F Ashraf to Malan, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. 194/3
59.5 F Ashraf to Malan, FOUR! Boom! Miss, miss and middled! Lead goes up to 20. Malan is feeling the ball nicely now. Faheem bowls it full outside off and Malan presents the face of the bat. He gets a big stride forward, middles the ball and it races to the cover boundary. 194/3
59.4 F Ashraf to Malan, The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact. 190/3
59.3 F Ashraf to Malan, On a good length and swinging away, Malan keeps his bat away from the line. 190/3
59.2 F Ashraf to Malan, Similar length but a touch too wide. Malan goes for the drive but doesn't get the connection. The ball goes to the cover fielder. 190/3
59.1 F Ashraf to Malan, Short of a length angling across the batsman who defends it to the off side. 190/3
Faheem Ashraf is back into the attack.
58.6 S Khan to Bess, Googly outside off and nicely blocked by Bess. He reads the ball nicely and plays it with a straight bat. 190/3
58.5 S Khan to Bess, Played the tossed up delivery to the point region. 190/3
58.4 S Khan to Bess, Uppish! Bess looking to guide the flighted ball through the cover-point region but doesn't get the connection. 190/3
58.3 S Khan to D Bess, Third in a row, just outside off. Bess pushes it to the cover fielder. 190/3
58.2 S Khan to Bess, Another flighted one. Bess defends it back to the bowler. 190/3
58.1 S Khan to D Malan, Nicely floated outside and Malan plants his foot down to the pitch of the delivery and guides it to the mid on region for a single. 190/3
57.6 M Abbas to Malan, The batsman appears to have been struck on the thigh pad. One run added to the total. Leg byes signalled by the umpire. 189/3
57.5 M Abbas to Malan, The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball but fails. 188/3
57.4 M Abbas to D Malan, FOUR! England in control now. Abbas is too full, on off this time, Malan drives it gloriously through covers. Four more to his name and it brings up the 50-run stand for these two. It's come in quick time too. 188/3
57.3 M Abbas to D Bess, Flicked away in the gap. Easy runs for Bess. Shuffles across and whips it through mid-wicket. The fielder from deep square leg mops it and prevents the boundary. Three runs taken by the batsmen. 184/3
57.2 M Abbas to Bess, Full outside off, defended with an open face towards gully. 181/3
57.1 M Abbas to D Bess, Too wide from Abbas, Bess cuts it uppishly past point for a brace. 181/3
56.6 S Khan to Malan, FOUR! Floated ball down leg, Malan paddles this fine to the fine leg region. No fielder there and the ball trickles away to the ropes. Deliberately done from Dawid. 179/3
56.5 S Khan to Malan, Played through mid-wicket by DM. 175/3
56.4 S Khan to Bess, Picks the ball, gets in position early and paddles it towards square leg for a run. ENGLAND LEAD BY 1. 175/3
56.3 S Khan to Bess, BEAUTY! Leg break on middle and leg, spins away after pitching. Bess pokes at it but it beats him. 174/3
56.2 S Khan to Bess, Tossed up again, Bess hits it towards backward point. 174/3
56.1 S Khan to D Bess, Loopy full toss on off, Bess drives it but finds the fielder at short covers. 174/3
55.6 M Abbas to Malan, Outside off, easy leave for Malan. 174/3
55.5 M Abbas to Malan, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. 174/3
55.4 M Abbas to D Malan, Almost dragged on! Length ball on middle and off, Malan looks to blocks it but gets an inside edge to it. The ball hits his back leg and dies down. 174/3
55.3 M Abbas to Malan, Around off on a good length,Malan is solid in defense. 174/3
55.2 M Abbas to Malan, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 174/3
55.1 M Abbas to Malan, Good length ball outside off, Malan takes a step forward, gets behind the ball and bunts it out. 174/3
54.6 S Khan to D Bess, Nicely flighted once again on the stumps and the batsman defends it to the off side. 174/3
54.5 S Khan to Bess, A touch short and outside off, the batsman goes for the square cut but finds the fielder. 174/3
54.4 S Khan to Bess, Another tossed up delivery and Bess drives it to the mid on fielder. 174/3
54.3 S Khan to Bess, Loud appeal from the fielding team for LBW but the umpire declines. The batsman was looking to play the sweep but misses the ball as it hits his pad. Risky! 174/3
54.2 S Khan to Bess, Similar loopy delivery from Shadab but the batsman fails to put bat to ball. 174/3
54.1 S Khan to Bess, Flighted delivery on off and Bess pushes it straight to the cover fielder. 174/3
Shadab Khan is into the attack.
53.6 M Abbas to Malan, The batsman has attempted to put bat on ball but fails. 174/3
53.5 M Abbas to Bess, Scores Level! Bess drives the full ball towards covers. Shadab there dives to his right but ends up parrying it towards mid off. Thus, a single results. 174/3
53.4 M Abbas to Bess, Almost squared him up but Bess does well to play it with soft hands and keep it down. 173/3
53.3 M Abbas to Bess, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 173/3
53.2 M Abbas to Malan, Played through mid-wicket region from the good length. England trail by one run now. 173/3
53.1 M Abbas to Malan, FOUR! Shot! Nice and easy. Width on offer from Abbas and Malan stretches forward to get to the pitch of the delivery, gets his bat in line and slashes it hard. The ball finds the middle of his willow and turns the fielders into audience as it races away through the cover-point region. Four more runs added to the total and now they trail by just two runs. 172/3
52.6 F Ashraf to Bess, FOUR! Gets one from the middle! Ashraf bowls this on a good length, Bess stays in his crease and punches it through covers. A boundary results. 168/3
52.5 F Ashraf to Bess, Ohh! Pitched up ball around off, Bess gets on one knee and looks to drive it. Gets a big inside edge onto his pads. 164/3
52.4 F Ashraf to Bess, Hit to the mid on region for nothing. 164/3
52.3 F Ashraf to Bess, Even better ball reckons the on-air commentator. This one though is a little straight and maybe there's a hint of reverse swing. Lands it on that fourth stump channel, Bess looks to defend it, only to see the ball going into the gloves of Ahmed past the outside edge of his bat. 164/3
52.2 F Ashraf to Bess, Play and miss! How did that miss the outside edge! Good length ball hurled around off. It moves away after pitching. Bess goes for the drive and is beaten all ends up. 164/3
52.1 F Ashraf to Bess, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 164/3
51.6 M Abbas to Malan, Straight in line, defended from the crease. 164/3
51.5 M Abbas to Malan, Full on leg, worked towards the on side. 164/3
51.4 M Abbas to D Bess, Guides this ball from around off past gully towards third man for a single. The trail now reduces to 10. 164/3
51.3 M Abbas to Bess, FOUR! Lovely balance and sweetly timed! Abbas goes full again, Bess gets under the ball and pushes it gently along the surface down the ground. Even with the rain today, the outfield shows no sign of being slow. 163/3
51.2 M Abbas to Bess, Full in line of the stumps, Bess hits it back to the bowler with a straight bat. 159/3
51.1 M Abbas to Bess, Fuller ball on middle and leg, Bess plays it towards mid on. 159/3
50.6 F Ashraf to Malan, Stays in his crease and blocks it out. 159/3
50.5 F Ashraf to D Malan, Full and on the stumps and Malan drives it straight to the fielder at mid on. 159/3
50.4 F Ashraf to Malan, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. 159/3
50.3 F Ashraf to D Malan, A touch fuller and on the stumps. The batsman blocks it towards mid on. 159/3
50.2 F Ashraf to Malan, Short of a length and angling away from the batsman. Malan gets a bottom edge but no harm done. 159/3
50.1 F Ashraf to Malan, On a fuller length, angling away from the batsman. Malan drives it from the inside half of the bat towards mid on. 159/3
Drinks break has been taken. England started the play with some intent, got some quick runs but lost their captain in the process. Despite losing his wicket, they have brought the deficit down to just 15 runs. For Pakistan, Amir looked hungry for wickets, kept the ball in the same channel and got his due in the form of Joe Root's wicket. They would like to keep picking wickets to stay in the hunt.
49.6 M Abbas to Bess, Opens the face of the bat to guide the good length delivery but finds the point fielder. 159/3
49.5 M Abbas to Bess, Outside off, on a similar length and Bess defends the ball from the back foot. 159/3
49.4 M Abbas to Bess, These straight and short of a length deliveries shouldn't create too much trouble for Bess. He gets behind the line of the delivery and keeps it down easily. 159/3
49.3 M Abbas to Bess, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 159/3
49.2 M Abbas to Malan, Goes around the wicket for the left hander and gets a touch too straight, on his pads. Malan tries to get inside the line but the ball misses his bat and thuds into his pad and rolls to the on side. A leg bye taken. 159/3
49.1 M Abbas to Bess, Outside off and it goes straight. Bess opens the face of the bat and glides it to third man for one. 158/3
48.6 F Ashraf to Malan, Serves this on leg again, Malan rocks back and works it to the leg side. 157/3
48.5 F Ashraf to Malan, Stays in the crease, hops a bit and bunts the ball down. 157/3
48.4 F Ashraf to D Bess, Bowls this on middle and leg, Bess hangs back and punches this in the gap towards mid-wicket. Malan responds and they complete the run. 157/3
48.3 F Ashraf to Bess, Back of a length ball on leg, Bess tucks it away to mid-wicket. 156/3
48.2 F Ashraf to Bess, Similar ball, defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 156/3
48.1 F Ashraf to Bess, Lands it around off, Bess takes a step forward and blocks it. 156/3
Faheem Ashraf is introduced into the attack.
47.6 M Abbas to Malan, On a good length and Malan guides it to the mid-wicket region. 156/3
47.5 M Abbas to Malan, Touch too wide. The batsman leaves it for the keeper to do the rest. 156/3
47.4 M Abbas to Malan, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. 156/3
47.3 M Abbas to Malan, Four Leg Byes! Abbas errs in line, goes too straight and on the pads of the batsman. Malan tries to tickle the ball fine but didn't get anything on it. The ball hits his pad and races to the fine leg fence. 156/3
47.2 M Abbas to Bess, Ouch! That would've hurt. Length ball angling in, Bess looks to defend it. He gets an inside edge and the ball hits his right elbow. The ball then rolls away to the on side and they cross over. Dom grimaces after that but he's good to go. 152/3
47.1 M Abbas to Bess, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 151/3
Mohammad Abbas gets the ball in his hand.
46.6 H Ali to D Malan, FOUR! Too full from Ali and Malan makes full use of it. This is bowled full outside off and Malan smashes it through covers for a boundary. 151/3
46.5 H Ali to D Malan, Whipped to the mid on region but finds the fielder. 147/3
46.4 H Ali to Malan, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. 147/3
46.3 H Ali to D Bess, On a full length and Bess goes poking at the delivery to get a thick outside edge. The ball rolls between gully and the slip cordon and goes towards third man. One run added to the total. 147/3
46.2 H Ali to Bess, Driven through mid on from the front foot. 146/3
46.1 H Ali to Bess, FOUR! Beautiful! How good is that from Bess? No half measures with his short making. Ali bowls it on a short of a length, angling in to the body of the batsman. Bess gets on his toes and punches the ball from the middle of the bat through covers. He got a half century in his last match. Can he better his best? 146/3
45.6 M Amir to Malan, Similar delivery and almost the similar shot. Not easy for the new batsman in, on a gloomy day, against the fiery Amir. 142/3
45.5 M Amir to Malan, He is not reading Amir's swing too well. Gets outside half of his bat off the fuller delivery but manages to keep it down. 142/3
45.4 M Amir to Malan, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. 142/3
45.3 M Amir to Bess, Flicked off his pads towards the square leg region. Another run added to the total. 142/3
45.2 M Amir to Bess, Angled into his body and Bess gets behind the line of the delivery nicely. 141/3
45.1 M Amir to Bess, Unlucky! Amir almost gets another wicket. Lands one from over the wicket on a good length around off. Forces Bess to play at it. The ball shapes away a tad and kisses the outside edge of Dominic. Sarfraz jumps forward to take it but the ball falls well short of him. Bess looks back and breathes a sigh of relief. 141/3
44.6 H Ali to Malan, Malan goes for the wide one but misses the ball. It stays a touch low as well. 141/3
44.5 H Ali to Malan, Short of a length and on his ribs, Malan punches it to the mid-wicket fielder. 141/3
44.4 H Ali to Malan, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. 141/3
44.3 H Ali to Malan, Good leave this. Too close for comfort but a good leave nonetheless. Ali angles it away from the batsman and makes it jag back in from short of a good length. 141/3
44.2 H Ali to Bess, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot off his pads. One run added to the total. 141/3
44.1 H Ali to Bess, Bowls it straight on a good length and Bess misses the line of the delivery. 140/3
43.6 Amir to Malan, Gets closer to the batsman on the same line and Malan was squared up as the ball misses his bat and hits him high on his thigh pad. 140/3
43.5 M Amir to Malan, Stays in his crease and the feet don't move. Malan gets his bat on ball and gets it through the point region. Two runs added to the total. 140/3
43.4 M Amir to Malan, OOH! Almost another. Too good for the new man, Dawid Malan. He stays inside the line to play the good length delivery but it pitches and goes away. No chance for the batsman to get anything on it. 138/3
Dawid Malan is the new man in.
43.3 M Amir to Root, OUT! Amir gets his man! Huge, huge wicket for Pakistan. Root was looking good out in the middle but consistent bowling in the same channel has brought the demise of English skipper. Coming to the delivery, Amir bowls it a touch full, angling away from the batsman. It moves away after pitching. Root expects it to come in and hence looks to push at it. But since the ball moved away, it took a very thin edge and landed in the safe mitts of Sarfraz Ahmed behind. The English skipper walks back, five short of a deserving fifty. England trail by 36. 138/3
43.2 M Amir to Root, Similar delivery and Root does well to defend it this time. 138/2
43.1 M Amir to Root, Angled away, enticing Root with the length. He goes for it but misses the ball. 138/2
42.6 H Ali to Root, Tad fuller and Root punches it towards cover-point and scampers for a single. 138/2
42.5 H Ali to Root, Similar length and the batsman is happy to let it pass. 137/2
42.4 H Ali to Root, On a fullish length and Root defends it nicely. 137/2
42.3 H Ali to Bess, Bowls it touch short. The batsman gets on top of the bounce and punches it from the backfoot through covers for another single. 137/2
42.2 H Ali to Bess, Short of a length, outside off and Bess gets his bat away from the line of the delivery. 136/2
42.1 H Ali to Root, Full and onto his pads. Root stays in his crease and punches the ball through wide long on. The fielder chases the ball but can't prevent the batsman from taking three. 136/2
41.6 M Amir to Bess, Another delivery angled away from him and Bess gets into good position to punch it to cover-point. 133/2
41.5 M Amir to Bess, Stays low and punches the delivery to mid-wicket. 133/2
41.4 M Amir to Bess, Bangs it down the pitch, into the body and Bess tries to duck under it. The ball didn't bounce much and hit him on his right shoulder. Root checks on his player but no harm done. 133/2
41.3 M Amir to Bess, Goes touch full and wide but not enough to entice Bess with a shot. 133/2
41.2 M Amir to Bess, On a good length angling away from the batsman. Bess leaves it for the keeper. 133/2
41.1 M Amir to Root, Touch short and into the body of Root, who does well to dab it towards square leg for a single. 133/2
40.6 H Ali to Bess, Short ball from Ali down leg, Bess tucks it to the leg side for nothing. 132/2
40.5 H Ali to Bess, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 132/2
40.4 H Ali to Bess, FOUR! Beautifully done from Bess! Short and wide from Ali, Bess waits for it and cuts it over backward point. No fielder in the deep and the ball meets the ropes. 132/2
40.3 H Ali to Root, Pitched up ball around off, Root taps it in front of him and the ball lobs towards covers. Shadab jumps and restricts the batsmen to just one. 128/2
40.2 H Ali to Root, Fuller in length, Root taps it in front of him. 127/2
40.1 H Ali to Root, On middle and off, Root covers his stumps and blocks it. 127/2
39.6 M Amir to Bess, Around off, Bess pokes at it but cannot get bat to ball. 127/2
39.5 M Amir to Bess, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 127/2
39.4 M Amir to D Bess, FOUR! Shot of the day! England are scoring quickly already. Pitched up ball from Amir on off, Bess gets low and drives it in the gap between mid off and covers for a beautiful boundary. 127/2
39.3 M Amir to Bess, The batsman works it down the leg side. 123/2
39.2 M Amir to Root, Overthrows! Root plays it with soft hands towards cover-point and hares to the other end. The fielder from covers gets to the ball and has an unnecessary shy at the keeper's end but misses. Ashraf gets to his right from square leg to back it up, but the ball deflects off his shin towards deep mid-wicket. This gives the batters time to steal a couple more. 123/2
39.1 M Amir to Root, Nice line from Amir. Lands it on the good length area, Root plays and misses. 120/2
38.6 H Ali to Bess, Peach! Good length ball around off, it swings away after pitching and Bess is caught in his crease. 120/2
38.5 H Ali to Root, Full again outside off, Root drives it past backward point. The fielders from gully and cover go chasing it down. Shafiq from the former position parries it to Shadab, and they save one for the side. 120/2
38.4 H Ali to Root, Delicate glance by the batsman through the fine leg region. 117/2
38.3 H Ali to Root, Four Byes! Strays this down leg, Root shuffles and looks to flick it. Doesn't put bat to ball, Sarfraz too, cannot collect it after the dive and the ball speeds to the fine leg fence. 117/2
38.2 H Ali to D Bess, This was intentional from Bess. Opens the face of the bat at the last moment and guides it past gully. The fielder from gully chases it and restricts the batsmen to three runs. 113/2
38.1 H Ali to Bess, Bowls it full on middle and off, Bess is solid in defense. 110/2
Hasan Ali will bowl from the other end. Can he generate some swing?
37.6 M Amir to Joe Root, FOUR! First one of the day. Not intentional but effective. Fuller ball from Amir on off, Root gets a soft outside edge and the ball flies past third slip. No third man and the ball runs away. The crowd goes 'Roooooooot!!!' 110/2
37.5 M Amir to Root, Gets behind the ball and blocks it out well. 106/2
37.4 M Amir to Root, Straight in line of the stumps, defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 106/2
37.3 M Amir to Root, Better from Amir. Serves it on that good length area around off. Root goes for the drive but is beaten. 106/2
37.2 M Amir to Root, Drags his length back and hurls it around off, Root punches it to the off side. 106/2
37.1 M Amir to Root, Comes in from over the wicket and pitches it full around off, just a hint of swing and Root leaves it alone. 106/2
All set! The players and the umpires have made their way out to the middle. Still overcast and cloudy conditions there and a lot of wind. Pakistan will hope they get some swing to play with. Dominic Bess and Joe Root walk out to resume their innings. Mohammad Amir to run in with the ball.
1420 local time (1320 GMT) update - OFFICIAL! The wait is finally over. The players are out warming up and the covers are completely off. Play is going to start at 1445 local time (1345 GMT), that is in 25 minutes.
1355 local time (1255 GMT) update - Patience helps! We have good news for you. Things are starting to brighten up here. The outer covers are coming off. Post Lunch there was an inspection and there will be a further inspection at 1420 local time (1320 GMT). Don't go anywhere.
... DAY TWO, SESSION TWO ...
1300 local time (1200 GMT) update - Time for LUNCH! Yes, a just reward, if one may put it, for playing the game - a waiting one. So rain consumes a session of this Test match. Will this please Pakistan? How would England be feeling? Perhaps you could ask your studious friend about how he would have felt, when someone who largely seemed to while away time turned out to be the topper. We'll be back with more, post the interval.
1200 local time (1100 GMT) update - Well folks, we've nothing positive for you from Headingley. The mizzle continues, restricting the umpires' visit to the middle just a mere formality. We could have an early Lunch, although a confirmation to that effect is awaited. Stay tuned for further updates.
1100 local time (1000 GMT) update - Rain, rain and only rain. Clearly, no cricket. That's what we have for you currently. The ground is covered and on that, there are puddles of water. Should take some time clearing. We'll keep you posted.
Action in England would be incomplete without some intervention from the weather around. Rains are forecast for a large part of today. We can well be braced for a stop-start kind of a game. Sarfraz Ahmed's men would not entirely loathe, if the situation thus arises, for it would provide his seamers the extra aid that they would love. An interesting wet day is on cards. Current update is that IT IS DRIZZLING AND THE SQUARE IS UNDER COVERS. Stay with us.
It is weekend and you're at the right place if this is the digital mode of entertainment you've chosen. We're glad to have you with us. Alastair Cook's wicket minutes before the close of play of Friday would have been the right tonic that Pakistan would've loved. Expect them to come out rigorously today. Behind all the runs and wins that we associate with England, a great deal of callowness hides. A frail middle order holds the key. They still trail by 68 with 8 more wickets in the bank.
Stories. They have a lesson for all readers. They give a lesson to the world. Often, folklores contain brilliances, that are made when a pushed-back-to-the-hilt situation arises. Comebacks are scripted on the basis of these. We've had such an inspirational tale here. England have been far from success in the recent past. With a series loss looming large due to the loss at Lord's, the seniors in the side (Anderson, Broad, Cook, Root) decided to take matters in their hands to hand them the advantage on Day One of this second Test.
... DAY TWO, SESSION ONE ...
Not a bad start to the final Test, isn't it? Expect both sides to come hard with refreshed intent as they look to gain one-upmanship over the other. As the ball gets older, reverse swing comes into the picture. And who better than Pakistan to exploit that. They still have a cover of 68 runs to play with. Also, with the way the England side is shaping up, all it takes is a wicket or two to open the floodgates. Will a familiar script pan out on Day 2? Or do we have a novel concept in store for Saturday. Your weekend's gonna be rocking. Join us then at 1100 local time (1000 GMT) for all the action. Till then, take care!
Although they got to do what they wanted, Pakistan were bundled out for a seemingly paltry score. This happens often to sides who come calling on English shores. It was a result of a relentless James Anderson and Stuart Broad bowling with discipline and vigour. Add Chris Woakes to the mix, the potent English trio picked up three apiece to keep the batters from the Asian side quiet. That only Shadab Khan scored over fifty has a tale to tell. The young leggie is having a ball with the bat in Tests, as he has hit a troika of fifties in consecutive matches. What the first innings also did is send the social media into a tizzy regarding the Pakistan captain's decision to bat first.
Both the southpaws looked assured during their stay and hence, would be ruing their missed opportunity to get significant personal scores. Joe Root is still unbeaten in the middle, with nightwatchman Dominic Bess for company. The skipper would want to get a big score on board, having missed out numerous chances to get a Test ton. Pakistan weren't all too bad with the ball as they did get significant purchase to often trouble even the seemingly set batters. The only thing is, they don't have as many wickets to show for their efforts.
Remember, the toss didn't go the hosts' way this morning. Sarfraz Ahmed won his first toss as a Test captain and had the choice to do what he wanted. That was the only rub of the green for them, perhaps. His choice saw them end up with 174. Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings knit a 53-run stand for the opening wicket, in reply, a mark that the English reached after 12 long innings intervening. Faheem Ashraf gave Pakistan the initial breakthrough while the former England captain missed out on his fifty narrowly, falling thirteen balls before the close of play. Hmmm... what a number that is.
Test cricket is just like life, Michael Holding had said once. You can't relax that you've done your best on one day. You need to be good over a period of five days to own the game. England will be well wary of this fact. It won't be wrong to say that this day has been theirs. After coming to Headingley 0-1 down, this is the apt beginning that they've eked out.
36.6 H Ali to Bess, Bumper to end the day. It's aimed at Bess' head. The spinner ducks under it to let Sarfraz take that. That brings us to the CLOSE OF DAY 1! 106/2
Last ball of the day coming up. A silly mid off in place apart from a short leg and a short mid-wicket.
36.5 H Ali to Bess, Very full outside off, dug out to the cover region. Another delivery to go... 106/2
Catching mid-wicket in place now.
36.4 H Ali to Bess, That ball has struck the batsman on the thigh pad. 106/2
36.3 H Ali to Bess, This delivery is pushed to covers from the crease. 106/2
36.2 H Ali to Bess, Fuller on the pads, Bess misses the flick and wears it on the pads. A muted appeal is made which dies down on its own. 106/2
36.1 H Ali to Root, Full and slanting on the pads, clipped away through square leg for one. Up to Bess to see the day off now. 106/2
Should be the final over of the day.
35.6 S Khan to Bess, Another googly around off, pushed towards covers. 105/2
35.5 S Khan to Bess, Huge appeal! Wrong 'un around off, Bess gets low to defend for the conventional spin. But this goes the other way and hits his unmentionable area. The players appeal to no avail. Could be a painful hit as he is seen squatting now. 105/2
35.4 S Khan to Bess, Loopy ball outside off, Bess covers the stumps and gets low to block it. 105/2
35.3 S Khan to Joe Root, Floated outside off, driven through covers for one. 105/2
35.2 S Khan to Root, Root gets behind this and keeps it out. 104/2
35.1 S Khan to Root, Floated around middle and off, bunted off the front foot. 104/2
34.6 H Ali to Bess, Hurled outside off, left alone. End of a successful over from Ali. 104/2
Dominic Bess walks in at no. 4 for England. So, they opt to go with a man, who got a fifty on Test debut, as a nightwatchman. Will he manage to see the day off?
34.5 H Ali to Cook, OUT! Oh man! Another Test match fifty is not to be for Alastair Cook. Of all the ways of getting dismissed, the former skipper chooses the tamest of modes to go back. Hasan Ali bangs this short down the leg side. The southpaw looks at this as an opportunity to get some easy runs under his belt. He ends up being a bit early into the shot as a result of which, the faintest part of his gloves is taken. Sarfraz Ahmed behind doesn't miss taking that one, even as the umpire raises the dreaded finger. Cook walks away in disappointment, while Ali does his celebratory thing. The trail is down to 70. 104/2
34.4 H Ali to Root, Root glides this one through cover-point for one. 104/1
34.3 H Ali to Joe Root, Full outside off, driven through covers. 103/1
34.2 H Ali to Cook, Hurled around middle and leg, Cook gets it off the inner half through backward square leg. A single is taken that brings up the 50-run stand between the current and the former skipper of England. The former skipper is just 4 short of his personal fifty. Applause at Headingley. 103/1
34.1 H Ali to Cook, Fuller around off and middle, pushed towards mid off. 102/1
Hasan Ali is back for another burst.
33.6 S Khan to Root, Floated outside off, Root lunges and opens the face of the bat. Gets the ball past slip for a couple. Good running that. 102/1
33.5 S Khan to Root, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 100/1
33.4 S Khan to Cook, Flicked away through mid-wicket for a single that brings up 100 for England. They are just 74 runs away from Pakistan's first innings score. 100/1
33.3 S Khan to Cook, Cook goes back and turns it away to the on side. 99/1
33.2 S Khan to A Cook, Shadab is as generous as he can with his flight on this occasion. Cook drives it off the inner half to mid on. 99/1
33.1 S Khan to Cook, Khan comes round the wicket and loops it up around off. Cook flicks it to short leg. 99/1
32.6 M Amir to Root, Short length ball angling away, Root goes back and pats it towards point. 99/1
32.5 M Amir to Cook, On a length outside off, punched towards covers for a quick single. 99/1
Sorry, sorry, sorry, says Cook after he makes Amir abort his run-up. Perhaps some movement in front of the sightscreen distracted him.
32.4 M Amir to Cook, Beautifully played. Amir spears it full and straight around middle and leg, such is Cook's balance that he flicks it nicely. The man from deep mid-wicket rushes to his right, tumbles and saves a couple. 98/1
32.3 M Amir to Cook, Full outside off, pushed off the front foot towards covers. 96/1
32.2 M Amir to Cook, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 96/1
We are already into the extended half an hour of the day. 8 overs are yet to be bowled after this one.
32.1 M Amir to Cook, Angled in on a length around off, Cook hops and blocks. 96/1
31.6 S Khan to Root, Slower through the air around middle, flicked away to mid-wicket. Decent start from the spinner. 96/1
31.5 S Khan to Root, Nicely tossed up around middle and leg, the ball spins in a touch as Root blocks with a lunge. 96/1
31.4 S Khan to Cook, Floated full around middle, flicked away through mid-wicket for one. 96/1
Short leg coming in now.
31.3 S Khan to Cook, Shorter in length this time, Cook clips it away through square leg. 95/1
31.2 S Khan to Cook, Looped up around middle, Cook whips it away to mid-wicket. 95/1
31.1 S Khan to Cook, Shadab starts from over the wicket and serves it outside off. Cook goes back and after the ball spins in a bit, he punches it towards covers. 95/1
Spin for the first time in this Test match. Shadab Khan it is. It will be interesting to see if he gets some assistance from the surface.
30.6 M Amir to Root, Similar delivery, Root covers his stumps and leaves it alone. 95/1
30.5 M Amir to Root, Amir comes from round the wicket and bowls it well outside off, Root lets it go. 95/1
30.4 M Amir to Cook, Fuller in line of the stumps, whipped away to mid on. There's a slight misfield there and that allows Cook to cross over. 95/1
30.3 M Amir to Cook, Outside off, Cook guides it through backward point for a couple. 94/1
30.2 M Amir to Cook, Taken, but edged? Nope! Amir hurls this down the leg side. Cook aims to flick it but it goes off something to Sarfraz's right. There is some sound as well when it so happens. The keeper leaps to his right, takes it and puts in an appeal but to no avail. Snicko shows that it came entirely off the pads. 92/1
30.1 M Amir to Cook, Full on off, driven back to the bowler. 92/1
29.6 M Abbas to Root, This is well outside off to draw Joe's interest. 92/1
29.5 M Abbas to Root, FOUR! A bottom hand whip, says David Lloyd on air. This is hurled fuller on middle and leg, Root flicks it nonchalantly through mid-wicket. A boundary results. 92/1
Deep backward square leg in place now.
29.4 M Abbas to Root, Bowled outside off, Root shimmies a bit and drives it off the inner half back towards the bowler. Frustration for the bowler is evident as he hurls a throw to the keeper in the direction of the batter. 88/1
29.3 M Abbas to Root, Outside off, left alone. 88/1
29.2 M Abbas to A Cook, Length ball outside off, Alastair goes back and defends. But he does so with an open face of the bat after the ball comes to him. The ball rolls towards gully, where Shadab gets a bad bounce. The ball goes through him, enabling Cook to cross over. It is notable that Abbas had switched sides here. 88/1
29.1 M Abbas to Cook, Bowled on the good length around middle and off. Cook lunges and blocks it towards covers. 87/1
28.6 M Amir to Root, A hint of shape away as Root stays in his crease. He gets behind the line and pats it towards point. 87/1
28.5 M Amir to Root, This time Joe stays in his crease and pushes it towards point. 87/1
28.4 M Amir to Root, Swing galore! But that's after it passes the batter. Root feels for it but gets beaten. Ahmed has to dive full stretch to his right to take that. 87/1
28.3 M Amir to Root, FOUR! Pure timing. Pitched up around off, Root gets down his bat at an angle. The open-face shot makes the ball beat gully to the left and goes away to the third man fence. 87/1
28.2 M Amir to Root, Full outside off, Root gets his stride out and drives it through cover-point. The ball goes races over the practice pitches and allows Joe to take two. 83/1
28.1 M Amir to Root, Beaten again! Length ball angling away from Root, he gets squared up in his attempted defense. The ball goes not too far from the outside edge of the blade. 81/1
Man on the hook for Root.
27.6 M Abbas to Cook, On the pads, clipped straight to mid-wicket. 8-4-17-0 so far for Abbas. 81/1
27.5 M Abbas to Cook, On a length swinging away from Cook, too wide to interest the experienced southpaw. 81/1
27.4 M Abbas to Cook, Hurled well outside off, left alone. 81/1
27.3 M Abbas to Cook, Full on off, pushed towards covers. 81/1
27.2 M Abbas to Cook, FOUR! Some days your bad balls get you wickets while on others, your good ones go for boundaries. Abbas bowls it on a length around middle and leg, Cook gets into a bit of a tangle as he looks to block it. But he ends up getting an inside onto the pads and the ball trickles away to the fine leg fence. The bowler is on his knees in disbelief. 81/1
27.1 M Abbas to Cook, Length ball on middle and leg, Cook gets behind that and pushes it back. 77/1
26.6 M Amir to Root, Length ball moving away, Root covers the movement and blocks it to the off side. 77/1
26.5 M Amir to Root, Around off and middle, pushes towards covers. 77/1
26.4 M Amir to Root, Jaffa! That's a lovely delivery and that's where Amir needs to be. He delivers a terrific delivery around middle that nips away after pitching. Root looks to defend assuming it to come in. Since the movement was away, he gets beaten all ends up. 77/1
26.3 M Amir to Cook, Length ball outside off, Cook stands tall and opens the face of the bat to guide it square on the off side. Imam hunts it down from covers and keeps it down to one. 77/1
26.2 M Amir to Cook, Well outside off yet again, a bit of shape away. Cook doesn't bother playing at that. 76/1
26.1 M Amir to Cook, Full and outside off, Cook leaves it alone. 76/1
25.6 M Abbas to Root, Root yet again walks across before shouldering arms to this one well outside off. Another maiden over. 76/1
25.5 M Abbas to Root, Root gets inside the line and hits it to the man at mid on. 76/1
25.4 M Abbas to Root, Well outside off, Joe lets the keeper take it in his mitts. 76/1
25.3 M Abbas to Root, Straighter outside off, left alone. 76/1
25.2 M Abbas to Root, Root puts his head down and blocks this towards covers. 76/1
25.1 M Abbas to Root, Served on a length well outside off, Root walks a couple of steps down before trying to defend. The cherry nips away and beats the outside edge of the skipper, before going on the bounce to the keeper. 76/1
24.6 M Amir to Cook, Angling in from outside off before moving away. Cook has nothing doing with it and just lets the keeper do the rest. 76/1
24.5 M Amir to Cook, Hurled well outside off, AC lets it be. 76/1
24.4 M Amir to Root, A scream for nothing! Amir gets fuller in length this time but aims it around leg. A hint of inswing there. Root misses the flick and the ball goes to the on side. A leg bye is stolen as the bowler and the keeper appeal, only for the latter to then suggest to the former that it was slipping down leg. 76/1
24.3 M Amir to Root, Around middle and leg, pushed towards covers from the back foot. 75/1
24.2 M Amir to Root, Length ball around middle and off, Joe guides it to gully. Post that he signals to somebody over the sightscreen to sit down. 75/1
24.1 M Amir to Root, Starts with a length ball that lands around leg and slants away towards middle and off. Root stands tall and pushes it to the off side for nothing. 75/1
Mohammad Amir is back on for another spell.
23.6 M Abbas to Cook, On a length around middle and leg, Cook defends. A maiden from Abbas, a good one that. 75/1
23.5 M Abbas to Cook, Beaten on the inside! A touch fuller than the previous one, Cook anticipates it to swing away and goes for the drive accordingly. But the ball goes straight on and passes the inside edge of his bat. 75/1
23.4 M Abbas to Cook, This is bowled on a length that is shorter than good length. Alastair gets behind it and pushes it to the on side for nothing. Umpire Bruce Oxenford has a look in the region of Abbas' followthrough. 75/1
23.3 M Abbas to Cook, Punched off the back foot straight to the man stationed at covers. 75/1
23.2 M Abbas to Cook, Well left! Cook leaves it on length. It is landed around middle and moves in a bit. Cook withdraws his bat to let it pass. And it does so just above the stumps for Sarfraz to dive and collect that to his right. 75/1
23.1 M Abbas to Cook, On a length around middle and off at 78.5 mph. Cook keeps it out to the off side. 75/1
22.6 F Ashraf to Cook, A bit short around off and middle, pulled away in front of square on the leg side to face the first ball of the next over. The trail now comes down to 99. 75/1
22.5 F Ashraf to Cook, Faheem lands it on a length and gets it to nip in sharply. Cook hops to tuck but fails and wears it on the thigh pad. 74/1
22.4 F Ashraf to Cook, Fuller around middle, pushed to mid on. 74/1
22.3 F Ashraf to A Cook, Ashraf now comes around the wicket and bowls it around off. Cook presents a straight blade to push it to mid on. 74/1
22.2 F Ashraf to Cook, FOUR! Cook's balance for England in this summer has been excellent, quips Nasser Hussain on air, before Wasim Akram continues to lavish more praise on that. Such a beautiful stroke that. Ashraf lets out a full length ball slanting across the southpaw, Alastair gets his front foot nicely forward and drives it wonderfully through covers for a boundary. Moves to 30 with that. 74/1
22.1 F Ashraf to Cook, Hurled on a length around off and middle, Cook hops and pushes it towards mid off. Nothing gained. 70/1
21.6 M Abbas to Root, Aiming at the off pole on a length, Joe stands tall and defends it with a straight bat. 70/1
21.5 M Abbas to Root, Hit straight to the man at covers. 70/1
21.4 M Abbas to Root, Abbas straightens his line and gets closer to the stumps. Root shows the full bat face to block. 70/1
21.3 M Abbas to Root, FOUR! That's twice now that Root has looked in the direction towards gully. He was standing outside the crease to negate any movement on offer. On getting the width that he desired, he just steered this one to the third man fence for a boundary. Good batting this. 70/1
21.2 M Abbas to Root, Bowled well outside off, left alone. 66/1
21.1 M Abbas to Cook, Lands it on a length around middle and leg, it seams away after pitching. Cook plays it with soft hands but the ball goes off the outer edge towards gully. The man there dives and prevents a certain boundary, though he fails to prevent the rotation of strike. 66/1
Well, Mohammad Abbas is brought on. We saw Amir rolling his arm on the field but it's not him now.
20.6 F Ashraf to Cook, Full on the pads, clipped away through mid-wicket to retain strike. 65/1
20.5 F Ashraf to Cook, Around the good length area in line of the stumps, Cook moves back a touch and brings a straight bat down to push the ball in the direction of mid off. 64/1
20.4 F Ashraf to Cook, Full and angling away outside off, Cook lets it be. 64/1
Meanwhile, Mohammad Amir is seen warming up. Could be summoned to separate this pair of Cook and Root.
20.3 F Ashraf to Cook, Confident stride. Full outside off, driven straight to mid off. 64/1
20.2 F Ashraf to Cook, Full and outside off, Cook makes sure that the ball is not in line of the stumps and lets it go. 64/1
20.1 F Ashraf to Cook, Cook is hanging on his back foot and hence, Ashraf slides this fuller in line of the stumps. But the southpaw gets his bat down in time to negotiate that one. 64/1
19.6 H Ali to Root, FOUR! Wow! This guy can hit boundaries to all parts of the ground without being unorthodox. This time, he uses the room on offer outside off to guide it well past gully for a boundary. 64/1
19.5 H Ali to Root, Back of a length delivery outside off, Root misses the defense. The ball goes off his back thigh towards point for nothing. A muted appeal follows. 60/1
19.4 H Ali to Root, Superbly played. Root gets a stride forward as he executes a delectable cover drive. He bisects the gap between mid off and covers. The player from the former position hunts it down and keeps it down to two. 60/1
19.3 H Ali to Cook, Very full on the pads, flicked away straight to the man at fine leg. Cook is looking good so far. He got a nice half century in the first innings of the previous Test. Can he emulate or better that performance? 58/1
19.2 H Ali to Cook, Around off and middle, Alastair defends it from the crease. 57/1
19.1 H Ali to Cook, Full on off, defensively played towards covers. 57/1
18.6 F Ashraf to Root, Outside off, left alone. 57/1
18.5 F Ashraf to Root, Full outside off, pushed towards covers. 57/1
18.4 F Ashraf to Root, Hurled in line of the stumps, Joe stands tall and blocks. 57/1
18.3 F Ashraf to Root, FOUR! Lovely way to open your account. Ashraf yet again delivers it in a straight line. Root just flicks it away easily through mid-wicket. The ball speeds away to the fence. 57/1
18.2 F Ashraf to Root, Fuller on middle, driven towards mid on. 53/1
18.1 F Ashraf to Root, On a length well outside off, Root lets it go unharmed. 53/1
17.6 H Ali to Cook, That's the area you should bowl, says Michael Holding on air. Full and angling away from Cook, it lands around middle and off. Cook had to play at that. But the ball goes past the edge of the blade before going to Sarfraz. Almost similar to the way Jennings was dismissed. A wonderful maiden over to follow the one in which the opening wicket fell. 53/1
17.5 H Ali to Cook, Pitched up to the batter, AC drives it to mid off. 53/1
17.4 H Ali to A Cook, Back of a length around middle and leg, Cook goes back to bunt it. Gets an inside edge onto his thigh. 53/1
17.3 H Ali to Cook, Around off and middle on a fuller length, Alastair presents a straight bat in defense. 53/1
17.2 H Ali to Cook, This time Cook pushes it defensively towards covers. 53/1
17.1 H Ali to Cook, Fuller in length around middle, Cook lunges and blocks it with a straight blade. 53/1
Joe Root is in next.
Time for the last drinks break for the day! England, England, England! That's how this period of play post Tea has panned out. Cook's opening partner, apart from his form as well, was a much debated and talked about topic in English cricket. The current pair of Jennings and the former skipper were doing well to quell those talks. Pakistan did probe around with the new ball in the first half an hour or so but post that, they couldn't do anything significant. The wicket of the young opener just before the break should just work wonders for the Asian side.
16.6 F Ashraf to Jennings, OUT! Pakistan finally get their man. A resolute opening partnership from Jennings and Cook is broken. For England, this is the best they have seen in a long time. Ashraf comes in from over the wicket and lands it around middle and off. The ball moves away a bit and catches Jennings off guard who looks to defend it but gets an outside edge straight to Sarfraz who takes a simple catch. Now, can Pakistan build on this opening that they've got? 53/1
16.5 F Ashraf to Jennings, Keaton drives it to covers but straight to the man stationed there. 53/0
16.4 F Ashraf to Jennings, Jennings shoulders his arms to this one. 53/0
16.3 F Ashraf to Jennings, KJ lets the ball go outside his off stump. 53/0
16.2 F Ashraf to Jennings, Shouts of two as soon as he hits it. Faheem pitches it up, Jennings flicks it through mid-wicket in the gap for an easy couple. 53/0
16.1 F Ashraf to Jennings, Bouncer down leg, Jennings ducks to evade it. 51/0
The umpires have taken out their 8-shape gauge to check whether the ball is fine. No problem with it and the ball is given back to the bowler.
15.6 H Ali to Cook, Fuller ball in line of the stumps, Cook gives it back to the bowler. 51/0
15.5 H Ali to Cook, AC gets behind the ball and blocks it. 51/0
15.4 H Ali to Cook, Back of a length ball on middle and leg, Cook stays back and taps it to the on side. 51/0
15.3 H Ali to Cook, The batsman has driven it to mid off. 51/0
15.2 H Ali to Cook, Outside off, left alone. 51/0
15.1 H Ali to Cook, Good length ball on middle, Cook plays and misses. 51/0
14.6 F Ashraf to Jennings, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. 51/0
14.5 F Ashraf to Jennings, Covers the stumps and hits it to the off side. No run. 51/0
14.4 F Ashraf to K Jennings, That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads. 51/0
14.3 F Ashraf to Jennings, Interesting leave from Jennings. This ball lands on leg, and comes back in. Keaton points his bat skywards and does not offer any shot. The ball strikes him on the back thigh pad. The players appeal but height was certainly an issue. 51/0
14.2 F Ashraf to Jennings, Presents the full face of the bat and taps it in front of him. 51/0
14.1 F Ashraf to Jennings, Back of a length ball, Jennings blocks it from his crease. 51/0
13.6 H Ali to Cook, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 51/0
13.5 H Ali to Cook, FOUR! Authoritative! Brings up the fifty partnership between these two openers and they are really looking in good nick. This has come after 12 innings. Ali pitches it up outside off, Cook strides forward and creams it through covers. Incidentally, the last 100-run stand for the opening wicket too was stitched by these two. Can they do it again? 51/0
13.4 H Ali to Cook, Lovely ball from Ali, forces Cook to go for the drive. The ball moves away a bit and the southpaw gets beaten. 47/0
13.3 H Ali to Cook, Punched off the back foot by the batsman. 47/0
13.2 H Ali to Cook, Good leave from Cook. Ali pitches it on length, it comes back a bit and Cook watches it go through to the keeper. 47/0
13.1 H Ali to Cook, Pitched up and Cook drives it for the mid off fielder to collect. 47/0
12.6 F Ashraf to Jennings, Outside off, no trouble for Jennings as he leaves it alone. 47/0
12.5 F Ashraf to Jennings, Lands this around off, Jennings plays and misses. 47/0
12.4 F Ashraf to K Jennings, FOUR! STREAKY! Inside edge and away to the fence. Back of a length ball on middle and leg, Jennings plays a chinese cut and the ball goes over the leg pole to the fine leg boundary. The partnership now moves to 47. 47/0
12.3 F Ashraf to Jennings, Outside off, left alone. 43/0
12.2 F Ashraf to Jennings, Keaton lets the ball go outside his off stump. 43/0
12.1 F Ashraf to Jennings, Around off, Jennings looks to play this to the off side but gets an inside edge onto his pads. 43/0
11.6 H Ali to Cook, Wide and outside off, it was there to be hit. Cook cuts it well but finds the man at backward point. Dot ball. 43/0
11.5 H Ali to Cook, Gets this off the inner half towards mid on. 43/0
11.4 H Ali to Cook, Fuller this time and around middle and leg, Cook plays it to mid-wicket. 43/0
11.3 H Ali to Cook, FOUR! Misses his line and duly gets punished. Bowls this wide outside off, Cook has enough time to free his arms and cuts it through point for a boundary. 43/0
11.2 H Ali to Cook, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 39/0
11.1 H Ali to Cook, Strays this down leg but Cook still goes after it. Does not make any contact. 39/0
10.6 F Ashraf to Jennings, The batsman gets an inside edge and the ball hits him on the pads. No damage done. 39/0
10.5 F Ashraf to K Jennings, Jeannings drives this through the covers. 39/0
10.4 F Ashraf to Jennings, Lands this outside off, easier for KJ to leave it alone. 39/0
10.3 F Ashraf to Jennings, Comes from round the wicket and serves it around leg. Jennings is beaten and the ball strikes his leg. The Pakistan players appeal but the umpire is quick in saying no. They have a chat and opt not to take it up. A good decision as the ball had pitched outside leg. 39/0
10.2 F Ashraf to Jennings, Wide outside off stump, the batsman leaves it alone. 39/0
10.1 F Ashraf to Jennings, Beauty to start with. Hurls it on a good length just wide of the off pole. Jennings looks to defend it with a straight bat but gets beaten. 39/0
Faheem Asharf is introduced into the attack to bowl from the other end.
9.6 H Ali to Jennings, Goes for the flick but misses it. The ball rolls to the leg side and they take the leg bye. 39/0
9.5 H Ali to Jennings, Jennings takes a step ahead to defend but gets an inside edge onto this pads. 38/0
9.4 H Ali to Jennings, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 38/0
9.3 H Ali to K Jennings, FOUR! A bit short but outside off, Jennings who is well in control cuts it in the gap through backward point for his fourth boundary. 38/0
9.2 H Ali to Jennings, Flicked away by Jennings as Hasan misses his line. Gets it in the gap to deep square leg and they come back for the second run. 34/0
9.1 H Ali to Jennings, Starts of with a good one. Good length ball just outside off, Jennings flirts with it but misses. 32/0
First change for Pakistan. Hasan Ali is brought on to bowl.
8.6 M Amir to Cook, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. 32/0
8.5 M Amir to Cook, In line of the stumps, Cook gets behind the ball and is solid in defense. 32/0
8.4 M Amir to Cook, Outside off, no need to pay at these. 32/0
8.3 M Amir to Cook, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. 32/0
8.2 M Amir to Cook, FOUR! Makes it look so easy. Third one for Cook. Amir drifts this down leg and Cook flicks it away through mid-wicket. A boundary results. 32/0
8.1 M Amir to Cook, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 28/0
7.6 M Abbas to Jennings, FOUR! SHOT! Beautifully played and does not bother running for it. Overpitched from Abbas and Keaton leans ahead and drives it in the gap through covers. This opening partnership has now equaled their best in Tests for the year. 28/0
7.5 M Abbas to Jennings, Length ball just outside off, the ball comes back in but is well watched and left by Jennings. 24/0
7.4 M Abbas to K Jennings, Around off, Jennings pushes this to the off side. 24/0
7.3 M Abbas to Jennings, Around off, Jennings covers his stumps and blocks it solidly. 24/0
7.2 M Abbas to Jennings, Outside off, left alone. 24/0
7.1 M Abbas to Jennings, No swing for Abbas as Jennings leaves it alone outside his off stump. 24/0
6.6 M Amir to Cook, Alastair shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 24/0
6.5 M Amir to Cook, Outside off, Cook does not bother playing at it. 24/0
6.4 M Amir to K Jennings, Just short. Shouldn't have played at that one. Jennings looks to steer this towards the slip cordon. But the ball goes off the edge and falls well short of the third slip fielder. He cannot stop the ball and the batsmen take a run. 24/0
6.3 M Amir to Jennings, Gets forward and drives this towards point. 23/0
6.2 M Amir to Jennings, On that fifth stump channel, Jennings watches the ball as it goes to Sarfraz. 23/0
6.1 M Amir to Jennings, Pitched up ball on off, pushes solidly to covers. 23/0
5.6 M Abbas to Cook, Length ball on off, Cook points his bat skywards to let it through. 23/0
5.5 M Abbas to Cook, Around off, Cook gives it to the man at point. 23/0
5.4 M Abbas to Cook, In line of the stumps, the chef has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 23/0
5.3 M Abbas to Cook, Length ball on middle and leg, Cook plays this to the mid-wicket fielder. 23/0
5.2 M Abbas to Cook, Outside off, Cook covers his stumps and lets the ball go to the keeper. 23/0
5.1 M Abbas to Cook, Played to the point region by the batsman. 23/0
4.6 M Amir to Jennings, Good length ball on off, KJ looks to have a go at it but cannot get any bat to it. 23/0
4.5 M Amir to Cook, Cuts this towards the point region and jogs to complete the run. 23/0
Interesting! Problems of being a bit too tall. Ben Stokes was sitting in the balcony to have a nice view of how his mates are going on with their batting. But his position was just above the sightscreen. As a result, Cook signaled him to bend down in order to not get distracted. He bent down and then peeped to see if the ball had been bowled, to then get up and go inside the dressing room. Tall tales!
4.4 M Amir to Cook, PEACH! On that fourth stump channel, forcing Cook to play who gets his blade out but gets beaten. 22/0
4.3 M Amir to Cook, AC lets this ball go outside his off stump. 22/0
Third man in place as a follow-up to the previous boundary.
4.2 M Amir to Cook, FOUR! Playing with the field is Cook. Amir hurls this on a good length outside off, Cook opens the bat face and guides it past the fourth slip for another boundary. They are really looking good. 22/0
4.1 M Amir to Cook, Full and wide outside off, Cook leaves it alone. 18/0
3.6 M Abbas to Jennings, FOUR! Elegantly done! A tad full from Abbas and Jennings drives it crisply through cover-point to get his first boundary. A steady start so far from the home team. 18/0
3.5 M Abbas to K Jennings, Gives this ball to the gully fielder to collect. 14/0
3.4 M Abbas to Jennings, That ball has taken the inside edge of the batsman and thudded into his pads. 14/0
3.3 M Abbas to Jennings, Around off, Jennings closes the bat face early and gets a soft edge towards the off side. 14/0
3.2 M Abbas to Jennings, Length ball outside off, Jennings does not offer a shot to this. 14/0
3.1 M Abbas to Jennings, Full and outside off, Keaton leaves it alone. 14/0
2.6 M Amir to Jennings, Pushes this to the cover region and gets a single. They are running really well here. 14/0
2.5 M Amir to K Jennings, FOUR! Fuller ball outside off, Jennings guides it wide of gully and the ball has enough legs to get get to the rope. 13/0
2.4 M Amir to Jennings, Too far for Jennings to make any contact. 9/0
Keaton Jennings was had a word with by the square leg umpire in the previous over. The reason was that he was deemed to be getting close to the danger area on the pitch. The opening batter is standing well outside the crease, due to which, his stride forward comes really close to the danger area. There's more to worry in the game than this for Jennings, says Nasser Hussain on air.
2.3 M Amir to Cook, Frustrating for the bowlers here. Runs from the first three balls already. Cook plays this off this back foot towards point and gets another run. 9/0
2.2 M Amir to Jennings, Jennings is up and running. Length ball wide outside off, Jennings opens the face of the bat and guides it far from the gully fielder. The fielder in the deep cuts it out and the batsmen run three. 8/0
2.1 M Amir to Cook, Length ball on off, Cook taps it to the off side with soft hands and sprints to complete the run. Good running. 5/0
1.6 M Abbas to Jennings, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 4/0
1.5 M Abbas to Jennings, Full this time outside off, Jennings lets the ball go to the keeper. 4/0
1.4 M Abbas to Jennings, Length ball outside off, gets it to move away a bit, Jennings is happy to leave it alone. 4/0
1.3 M Abbas to Jennings, Outside off, left alone. 4/0
1.2 M Abbas to Jennings, Jennings shoulders arms to let that one through. 4/0
1.1 M Abbas to Jennings, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. 4/0
0.6 M Amir to A Cook, FOUR! That's the length and Cook gets an edge through the slip cordon. Full and outside off, Cook looks to defend it but gets an outside edge as the ball flies past third slip. So the former skipper gets going with a streaky boundary. 4/0
0.5 M Amir to Cook, Outside off, hint of away swing and Cook leaves it alone. 0/0
0.4 M Amir to Cook, PEACH! Excellent from Amir! Makes Cook play at it and almost gets his outside edge. Serves it on a good length around off, Cook plays and misses. 0/0
0.3 M Amir to Cook, Angles this down leg, Cook works it to mid-wicket for a dot. 0/0
0.2 M Amir to A Cook, Ohh!!! Edged but falls short of the man at second slip. Serves this fuller on off, Cook pokes at it and gets a soft outside edge that lands just short of second slip. 0/0
0.1 M Amir to Cook, Comes in from over the wicket and bowls it on a good length outside off, Cook shoulders his arms to it. 0/0
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