Published: Oct 23, 2015, 02:58 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 23, 2015, 03:27 PM (IST)
Pakistan were decimated for a score of 378 at lunch on Day 2 of the 2nd Test against England at Dubai after being in a comfortable position on Day 1. Pakistan resumed batting from an overnight score of 282 for 4 but lost the precious wicket of Misbah-ul-Haq in the first over of Day 2. Misbah was batting on 102 before his innings was curtailed by Stuart Broad, when a delivery from the latter struck him on the pads. Pakistan were then in a delicate situation but with Sarfraz Ahmed next to bat the scoreboard would have only got better. Shafiq and Ahmed got the scoreboard ticking at a good pace but didn’t manage to continue for a substantial period of time. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: Pakistan vs England 2015, 2nd Test at Dubai
Sarfraz with his style of play will every now and then provide a half chance to the opposition. He in an attempt to earn a boundary played a loose short and threw his wicket away, this was stage when Pakistan were in a precarious situation and needed a partnership. Azhar Ali was fighting it out from end but didn’t any support from others. Wahab Riaz was dismissed right after Sarfraz and further putting Pakistan in all sorts of trouble. LIVE UPDATES: Pakistan vs England 2015, 2nd Test at Dubai, Day 2
English bowlers were now pumped up and their primary aim was to restrict Pakistan for a total of less than 400. Yasir Shah looked good and was among the runs before he fell prey to Adil Rashid’s persistence. Zulfiqar Babar looked restless and didn’t have any idea when Mark Wood bowled a back of a length delivery to which Babar refused to offer a short and was trapped leg before. Shafiq deserved a century for the temperament he exhibited but it wasn’t to be as he played a mistimed shot to Wood only to land in the safe hands of Joe Root at short mid-wicket. Shafiq was dismissed for a well fought 83 and with his dismissal Pakistan’s innings came to an end.
English bowlers did a commendable job as they managed to scalp six Pakistani wickets for less than 100 runs an that too within a session. They have a modest first innings total and all they need to do is have patience. England should remember that Pakistan now have two frontline spinners in their bowling attack with the most formidable one being Yasir Shah. It would be interesting to see England’s approach against Shah as one famously saw Pakistani batsmen didn’t let Rashid settle down. Will England do the same? Well the query will be resolved as English batsmen are alls set to come out and bat in the second session of Day 2.
Brief scores:
Pakistan 378 all out in 118.5 overs (Misbah-ul-Haq 102, Asad Shafiq 83; Mark Wood 3 for 39) against England
