Published: Aug 04, 2016, 08:21 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 04, 2016, 08:30 PM (IST)
Pakistan’s Sami Aslam and Azhar Ali continue to frustrate England heading for Tea at 154 for 1 trailing by 143 on Day 2 of 3rd Test at Edgbaston. Aslam and Ali’s fifties ruled the 2nd session of the play easing through Pakistan to 100-run mark. Ali achieved his 21st fifty and soon after it was Aslam to get his one for the national side. Meanwhile, England were slopping around on the field with not two but three drop catches of Ali first by Joe Root, Alastair Cook followed by Moeen himself, adding fuel to the frustration. There were few war of words as well in the middle between James Anderson with umpire Bruce Oxenford, thanks to Pakistan tormenting the England bowlers. Before heading for Tea, Aslam is playing at 69 and Ali continues his steady innings at 72. LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: Pakistan vs England 2016, 3rd Test at Edgbaston
When Aslam and Ali continued their play after Lunch at 72 for 1, they continued their steady play and added 150-run stand, with Aslam achieving his fifty with stylish paddle sweep boundary while Ali got his fifty in an interesting fashion had Root not dropped his catch at second slip. Steven Finn, Stuart Broad and Moeen Ali were unable to provide the breakthrough for England. England had few meeting as well as to who could take the ball go ahead, but none provided the output. Broad did not look threatening at all today while Moeen returned the catch of Azhar at 69 that proved it was Ali’s day today. The second session also pretty much belonged to the visitors leaving no scope for hosts.
Before heading for Lunch, Pakistan did have shaky start but the game gained momentum with Aslam and Ali building partnership of 72 runs for 2nd wicket. Aslam was playing at 27 while Ali was playing at 38 at Lunch. Anderson was the pick of the bowler for England as he ended his figures at 1 for 19 at Lunch grabbing Mohammad Hafeez for golden duck. Broad and Anderson after the first wicket conceded 31 runs until Finn, Broad and Moeen took over the reins. ALSO READ: PAK vs ENG, 3rd Test Day 1: Visitors hold fort at 72/1 at Lunch
Earlier, skipper Misbah-ul-Haq put England to bat and bowled them out for 297. In hindsight, England had their moments from Day 1 with Ballance and Moeen securing 70 and 63 runs respectively to push England to 250-run mark. Sohail Khan maiden fifer paved the way for Pakistan to rule the Day 1. At the moment Day 2 is also going the same way.
Brief Scores:
England 297 (Alastair Cook 45, Gary Ballance 70, Moeen Ali 63; Sohail Khan 5 for 96) trail Pakistan (Sami Aslam 69*, Azhar Ali 72*; James Anderson 1 for 22) by 143 runs
LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: Pakistan vs England 2016, 3rd Test at Edgbaston
