Published: Aug 04, 2016, 05:39 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 04, 2016, 06:25 PM (IST)
Responding to England’s 297, Pakistan’s opening batsman Sami Aslam and No.3 batsman Azhar Ali push their side to 72 for 1 trailing by 225 at Lunch on Day 2 of 3rd Test at Edgbaston. Pakistan were off to shaky start with England’s James Anderson drawing first blood within the third ball of first over. But Aslam and Ali put up fifty-run stand for 2nd wicket amongst them to keep Pakistan ahead in this Test. Meanwhile, skipper Alastair Cook was found shuffling his bowlers with hope to get some wickets. England were slopping around the field unable to control the flow of runs. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: Pakistan vs England 2016, 3rd Test at Edgbaston
Pakistan’s opening batsmen Mohammad Hafeez and Aslam entered the crease with hope to carry forward the momentum set by Pakistan bowlers on Day 1. Hafeez, was out for golden duck after four balls with Anderson’s short and wide delivery, Hafeez trying to chase it and lands to Gary Ballance backward point. Social media reacted in various ways trolling Hafeez for his irresponsible shot. Aslam, the Under-19 batsman from Pakistan, continued his play and was off the mark with a boundary when Stuart Broad was brought into attack. Azhar Ali entered at No.3 and tagged along with Aslam for his first boundary of the innings as well. Together they put up strong partnership of 72 runs for second wicket. Ali’s knock of 38 included 5 fours and Aslam contributed 4 fours from his knock of 27.
In hindsight, Anderson was the only bowler, who stood out with figures of 1 for 19 before heading for Lunch. Stuart Broad and Anderson juggled for the initial 5 overs and were unable to get any wickets after the first one. They together conceded 31 runs by the 12th over. Steven Finn, who was called as replacement for Stokes, was right at target with his deliveries building upon on some maiden overs in the process. Chris Woakes also supported Finn, but none could stop the flow of runs from from Aslam and Ali towards the end of 1st session. Cook also got in spinners with hope that swing could bring them luck, but Ali and Aslam played on different tone with spinner’s entering the play.
On Day 1, the game pretty much was balanced out but ultimately went the Pakistan way. Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and opted to field first, bowling out England for 297 at stumps on Day 1. Sohail Khan was the show stealer for Pakistan grabbing his maiden fifer grabbing pillars like Alex Hales, Joe Root, Jonathan Bairstow, Moeen Ali and James Anderson. In hindsight, England put up a tough fight with Ballance and Moeen’s score of 70 and 63 respectivelty. Along with Sohail, Rahat Ali also got two wickets under his belt. The light also feel upon Pakistan’s heroes Yasir Shah and Mohammad Aamer, who remained wicketless until the end of the day but managed to a wicket and two respectively.
Brief Scores:
England 297 (Alastair Cook 45, Gary Ballance 70, Moeen Ali 63; Sohail Khan 5 for 96) trail Pakistan (Sami Aslam 27*, Azhar Ali 38; James Anderson 1 for 13) by 225 runs
LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: Pakistan vs England 2016, 3rd Test at Edgbaston
