England vs Pakistan 1st Test, Day 1 Live Cricket Score: Manchester gears up for the first Test.
England vs Pakistan (ENG vs PAK) 1st Test, Day 1 Live Cricket Score Updates: Pakistan are batting first on Day 1 in the 1st Test vs England in Manchester, as Joe Root’s England move on from a 2-1 triumph over West Indies. The visitors reached the Lunch break at 53/2, with Shan Masoon and Babar Azam at the crease.
For Azhar Ali’s Pakistan, this is a chance to continue their run of success in England since 2010. The last two series between the two have ended in draws — 2-2 in 2016 and 1-1 in 2018. Front foot no-ball technology will be used for the first time on a trial basis in Test cricket during the three-match series.
England vs Pakistan 1st Test Live Cricket Score Updates: Azhar Ali and Joe Root's men all set to face each other at Manchester. (FILE)
A confident punch runs down for four on the off side from Shan Masood, who has added more than half of his team's total at the moment. Stuart Broad and James Anderson have been unable to cause much problems after the restart so far. Babar Azam hits Anderson for four as the bowler again strays down on his pads. Masood and Babar Azam have been adding some quick runs -- and easy runs -- after the break. PAK 69/2
Stuart Broad and James Anderson begin proceedings for England as the second session begins. Anderson is greeted by Babar Azam with delight! A loosener on to the pads and Babar glances it down to the fine leg boundary to bring up his first four. An edge runs down for a single. Babar still not in his groove. England would love to see the back of him early. PAK 58/2
All set for the second session of play on Day 1. Babar Azam and Shan Massod to resume the Pakistan innings. Babar Azam has looked a little unsure in his short stay so far. Archer and Woakes picked up the two wickets that fell in the first session.
England opened up with two early wickets against Pakistan with Jofra Archer bowling Abid Ali for 16 runs and Chris Woakes uprooting the stumps of Azhar Ali. Pakistan have a lot of work to do in the next session. Shan Masood *27(80) & Babar Azam 4(27). PAK - 53/2 (25)
Azhar Ali reviews! DRS shows that the ball is crashing into middle and off! Three Reds. Terrible review and it's the end of Azhar Ali. Azhar Ali gone for a duck! 10th occasion when Pakistani captain failed to score in a Test Match in England. PAK- 44/2 after 19 overs.
Pakistan openers have NOT put a 50 runs partnership against England in England in 33 innings and 24 years. Last opening pair to do it was Saeed Anwar and Aamir Sohail (106 runs) at The Oval in 1996.
Jofra Archer goes through the defence of Abid Ali and he is gone for 16. That's what you call a ripper! Two bouncers in the previous over and a full one on the first ball of the next over and Abid Ali is done! Pakistan 36/1 after 16 overs.
The openers are doing a very good job in stealing those cheeky singles. Drop and run a highly under-utilized tactic in modern test cricket. Anderson and Broad going wicketless in their opening spell is a rare sight. PAK- 33/0 in 13 ovs
There was a big inside edge but thankfully Ali's legs saved the ball from hitting the stumps. That was close. But the visitors need their luck. Half an hour has gone and quite an interesting bit of play. Shan and Abid are applying themselves well. PAK- 27/0 after 8.4 overs
But that was not convincing from Shan Masood. Another shortish delivery outside off from Broad and it seemed like the batsman wanted to leave but made a late choice to dab it down past gully. Pakistan openers are having a tough time on the wicket, courtesy Anderson and Broad. PAK-13/0 after 6 overs
"If Pakistan bat decently, they will beat England.They have the bowling to win in England.Their problem is all their bowlers are genuine bowlers who just can't contribute anything with the bat. England's bowlers can hang around and score. It could all come down to that," says Suraj Subramanian on social media.
FOUR! That was short from Anderson and the batsman misses the glance, the ball rolls away past the keeper to the ropes. Interesting team selection for Pakistan but looking at the first couple of overs the pitch seems dry so the right one. All they need are some runs in the first innings. PAK 6/0 after 3 overs.
Shan Masood vs James Anderson should be a mouth-watering contest. Masood has faced 57 deliveries from Anderson in Test cricket, scored 15 runs, and been dismissed six times at an average of 2.5. (courtesy criviz)
James Anderson starts from the James Anderson end at Old Trafford in a series that promises to be a cracker. Masood and Abid Ali are at the crease. Masood is on strike
"We want to be clear in our heads, can't control the weather. We are playing two leggies. Thanks to ECB for whatever facilitates they have given us. Very prepared for this Test match. You can't replace Test cricket with practice games. We prepared very well and looking forward to the game. We miss the crowd for sure"
"We are coming unchanged into this game. Ben is not quite 100% fit, so we don't want to take that risk. The guys have to stand up and perform. We are aware that we have to work on starting the series well."
Pakistan has shown positive intent with the decision to bat first under heavy conditions. Michael Vaughan says, "I see this as a great chance for Pakistan. If they bat out the day and get to something like 300, we've seen this England team struggle when batting second."
Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Joe Root (c), Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (wk), Chris Woakes, Dom Bess, Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, James Anderson
Pakistan have won the toss and elected to bat against England. Pakistan name both Shadab Khan and Yasir Shah, two leg-spinners, in their XI.