Patient Pakistan seize control
LORD’S TEST Azhar, Shafiq fifties leave England struggling LONDON:
Pakistan continued to dominate the first Test against England at Lord’s as they moved calmly to 136 for three at lunch on the second day.
The touring side, who had dismissed England for 184 after losing the toss, resumed on 50 for one on another overcast day at the home of cricket on Friday, with Azhar Ali and Haris Sohail untroubled by a toothless England seam attack. (Pakistan took the first innings lead before tea with seven wickets in hand).
Azhar played one glorious cover drive for four off Mark Wood and the pair took the total to 87 before Wood made the breakthrough, Sohail edging an outswinger to wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow to depart for 39.
England captain Joe Root rotated his fast bowlers in an effort to unsettle the batsmen before turning to off-spinner Dom Bess in his first Test.
Azhar nudged the 20-year-old for a single to bring up a half-century that included six fours, but the compact right-hand batsman failed to add to his tally, falling lbw to a full-length delivery from James Anderson. Asad Shafiq (28 not out) and Babar Azam (eight not out) took Pakistan to the interval without further mishap, Asad launching Bess for six over mid-wicket as his team look to build a substantial lead and put England under pressure at the start of the two-match series. Brief scores: England Ist inn 184 (A Cook 70; B Stokes 38; Md Abbas 4/23, HAsan 4/51) vs Pakistan Ist inn 192/3 in 68 overs (A Ali 50, H Sohail 39, A Shafiq 54 no, B Azam 38 no)