England vs Pakistan (ENG vs PAK) 2nd Test Day 2 Highlights: Pakistan were 223/9, led by a lower order resistance from unbeaten batsman Mohammad Rizwan, before bad light forced the players to go off on Day 2. Both the opening days of the 2nd Test have now seen at least half of the day being suspended, either due to rain or bad light.
Pakistan held firm against England’s seam attack in a shortened session before lunch on the second day of the second Test, adding 29 runs without the loss of a wicket at the Rose Bowl on Friday. The start was delayed by 90 minutes because of morning rain. Babar Azam (45 not out) and Mohammad Rizwan (12 not out) dealt with a swinging ball as Pakistan reached lunch on 155-5, though Chris Woakes was unlucky not to find an outside edge from a couple of superb deliveries to Rizwan. Babar Azam fell before his 50 in the afternoon session, but Rizwan guided the innings commandingly to steer them across 200.
End of Day 2. Bad light was the culprit today, with almost half the day being not possible. Pakistan will resume batting with Rizwan, who has just crossed his 50, and No 11 Naseem Shah, when play begins on Day 3.
With less than one hour to scheduled close of play remaining, it is more or less certain now that we have seen all the cricket we had to see on Day 2 as well. But still have to wait on official word regarding that. Bad light still the issue at the ground. Pakistan, having batted over 2 days, are 223/9 after 86 stop-start overs.
The wait for the return of action still continues as there's no improvement in light. When the play stopped, Pakistan were 223/9 with Mohammad Rizwan (60*) and Naseem Shah (1*) in the middle.
Rizwan starts going for a few of his shots - creams Broad for four into the covers - with some extra license as Naseem is at the other end. The umpires get together at the end of the next over. The light meter is out again. And off the players go again. Pakistan 223/9 after 86 overs
England get their ninth as play restarts after the break. Abbas was plumb there. Goes for a brave 2 off 20 balls. Stuart Broad gets his fourth wicket. Rizwan is joined by last man Naseem Shah. PAK 216/9
Abbas survives an edge as the ball falls just short of Joe Root in the slips. Rizwan continues steering this innings. The umpires have a word with the light meters out. And bad news! The players are off. PAK 215/8 after 84.3
An early Tea break taken.
Abbas plays out another over of resistance. Rizwan pushes Abbas for a double and brings up his 50 with that. Busy batting from him. His 50 coming from 104 balls. A fighting 50 taking his team to a respectable total. England Review as Broad gets one to swing into Abbas's pads. Not out. PAK 211/8 after 84
Broad comes back to bowl the 80th over. England take the second new ball straightaway. Woakes continues with it. Four byes run down with some sloppy work from England and Pakistan cross 200. Rizwan keeps the score moving in singles in the next over as well. Moves to 47. Abbas ducks and the bacll hits his elbow guard. PAK 205/8 after 82
Rizwan goes down on his knees and upper cuts Curran for four to third man. Remarkable shot, given that Curran was mostly going for a full length. Rizwan takes Pakistan closer to that 200-mark. Moves into his 40s and keeps strike for the Woakes over. Abbas presents as straight a bat in defence as possible to see out whatever balls he has to play. PAK 197/8 after 79
Mohammad Abbas comes out at 10. And is almost run out first ball as well in trying to hurriedly give the strike to Rizwan. England appeal for LBW against Abbas later in the over. Rizwan gets back on strike for the Woakes over. Rizwan gets two runs with a strong pull as Woakes goes short. PAK 183/8 after 77
Shaheen Afridi is run out. Goes for an unnecessary run, the fielder spots him out of his crease and the Pakistan No 9 is run out mindlessly. He frustrated England for a good while but loses his wicket after a brainfade. A typical tailender's dismissal. Rizwan is looking to shield his partners, batting confidently, but he needs a little more composure at the other end. Rizwan ends the over with a swat for four on the leg side. He's going to get runs wherever they come now. PAK 180/8 after 75
Woakes comes back to the attack. Shaheen Afridi plays 18 balls without scoring, but importantly for Pakistan, he does not give off any edges. Rizwan at the other end, carries much of Pakistan's hopes of crossing 200. Sam Curran continues at the other end, looking to pick up a wicket after his Abid Ali dismissal yesterday. PAK 175/7 after 74
Yasir Shar goes for 5. Anderson finds the outside edge of Yasir Shah and Jos Buttler makes no mistake behind stumps. England are into the tail, PAK 171/7. This was the third for Anderson in this innings and and 593rd overall in Tests.
Shaheen Afridi comes to the crease.
Babar Azam denied half-century shortly after lunch by Stuart Broad, departs for 47. Broad angled one into the man and it was on a perfect length. Babar just feathered it through with Jos taking the catch. That's a big wicket for England on Day 2 and the visitors look in trouble now. Yasir Shah walks in to bat. PAK are 158/6
It was a steady first hour for the visitors as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan take Pakistan to 155/5 at Lunch, adding 29 runs for the loss of no further wickets. Babar Azam is batting well on 44* and Rizwan on 12*.
Pakistan are offering stern resistance here. Conditions are tough, with the ball swinging (at 1.6°) more than it has in any session this Test. Good batting from Babar and Rizwan as the duo are keeping the hosts at bay.
Babar Azam looks in form this morning, makes up for the lost time by looking well in control and managing a few boundaries in the first couple of overs. Babar Azam has faced this many balls in a Test innings on 20 occasions; only once has he left a higher proportion of his deliveries alone than the 25% he's managed so far in this knock
Day 2 finally kickstarts in Southampton after a delay of 1.5 hours. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan take the crease as PAK resume on 126/5. James Anderson is back in the attack.
Play to start at 5pm IST (1230 local time). Light has improved and the cricketers are getting ready to finally start the day's play. Lunch is scheduled at 6pm IST.
Only the hover cover is on and the light in Southampton has significantly improved. It looks like a further delay to the start though. The first inspection suggests a wait for another half an hour.