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: After a 2-1 triumph over West Indies last month, Joe Root-led England are all set to face Azhar Ali’s Pakistan side in a three-match Test series starting today at Old Trafford in Manchester. Winning a Test series at home against Pakistan has been a distant dream for the hosts since 2010. The last two series between the two ended in a draw- 2-2 in 2016 and 1-1 in 2018. With top-class bowlers in their arsenal, it is expected to be a bowling show in these three Tests.
If we look at the weather prediction according to Accuweather, Manchester will witness brief showers in the early hours of Wednesday morning and it will pass as the day progresses. Meanwhile, 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)
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.
Building up to the game!
MATCH-DAY! (Source: PCB)
All eyes on the sky now-
Matches - 83
England Won - 25
Pakistan Won - 21
Draw - 37
So who will lead this time?
Front foot no-ball technology will be used for the first time on a trial basis in test cricket during the three-match series between England and Pakistan starting later on Wednesday, the International Cricket Council has said. The responsibility to call no-balls when a bowler oversteps the mark currently lies with on-field umpires, but under the new system the TV umpire will monitor the landing foot after each ball and communicate to the umpires whether it was a legal delivery. “Front foot no ball technology to be used in ICC World Test Championship series featuring England and Pakistan, with the support of both teams,” the world governing body tweeted.
Good morning from Emirates Old Trafford. The good news is the early morning rain has stopped & we are hopeful of a start on time.
Prediction time: England have lost the first match of their last five-Test series but Pakistan hold just a 19% chance of beating them in the contest which starts today. England are odds-on with a 68% win chance.