England vs Pakistan (ENG vs PAK) 2nd Test Live Cricket Score Updates: Pakistan batsmen have not been upto the mark so far in the first innings. (AP)England vs Pakistan (ENG vs PAK) 2nd Test Live Cricket Score Updates: Pakistan ended the Day 2 of the Southampton Test with wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan’s resilience taking them to 223/9 before bad light stopped play. On Day 3 as well, the start was delayed due to bad light and rain.
In the conventional sense, the score is incompetent. But given the amount of swing the surface generated, and the fast-bowling ammo at their disposal, Pakistan would be sufficiently pleased with their comeback. Even 200, at one stage, had looked dreamy. Now all eyes would be on Rizwan to expand his knock little further on Day 3. A lot would also be expected of the bowling brigade of Pakistan to bundle English batting line up for a minimum score possible on Day 3.
Lots of frustation for neutrals and fans as we get close to one whole session being washed out. The Pakistan players, however, are in the middle. Well not quite in the middle, which still has covers in. But they have taken over the outfield, with the weather more suitable to football than cricket. The floodlights are still on. Low light, we assume, is still the reason there have been no word from the umpires yet.
No news is bad news, when it comes to delayed starts to Test match days. And today, it looks like there will be now news for a while. It's a bleak sight in the middle in Southampton right now. Even if the drizzle stops, the visibility will remain the problematic factor. Which brings to mind what some ex-cricketers have been suggesting on the back of these rain delays. Bring out the pink ball for better visibility! Maybe something the ICC can look into. Since the closed-roofs stadiums plan has been stuck in the logistical pipeline for years now.
It's official now. Rain and bad light have delayed the start of Day 3. The rain is of drizzle proportions right now but the main problem seems to be the low light because of dark clouds, which indicates today will be another day of frustrations.
The covers are on the pitch at the moment and there are dark clouds over the stadium. Does not look promising for a rain-free Day 3. Looks at the moment that we will not have the first ball of the day in another 20 minutes after all. Waiting on word about that, but a timely start looks unlikely. The floodlights are on already on this dreary morning in Southampton, which should give a fair idea of how the day is likely to progress.
Day 3 of the second Test at The Rose Bowl is also likely to be rain-interrupted as a mild shower and mostly cloudy weather is expected. As far as rain is concerned, the prediction for the third day is about 15% and there’s a slight rise (30-35%) for the remaining two days.
The 2nd Test has been a frustrating affair for both teams. Pakistan have managed to bat 86 overs over the two days and will continue their first innings into a third day today. Rizwan has batted on both days and will continue his 116-ball 60 into a third day today. On the face of it, this Test looks to be headed for a draw. But things can change quickly when Pakistan are playing, that's a lesson history has taught us well. Will be interesting to see how Pakistan's pacers do with the ball when England come to bat. One hour to Day 3.
Day 3 of the second Test will be the crucial day for both the teams to edge past the other. Have a look at what happened so far in the match:
Predictions for Day 3?