Abbas, Hasan bundle England out cheaply
london — Pakistan seamers Mohammad Abbas and Hasan Ali took four wickets each as England were skittled out for 184 after tea on the opening day of the first Test at Lord’s, with Joe Root’s decision to bat first backfiring on Thursday.
At close of play, Pakistan were --for -- with Azhar Ali batting on -and Haris Sohail on -- after Imamul-Haq was out cheaply for 4.
On a day when Pakistan’s pacemen bowled good line and length and their fielders produced some brilliant catches, England collapsed from 149-4 in the 48th over to all out 11 overs later.
Playing in a record-equalling 153rd consecutive Test, Cook batted fluently for his gritty 70. But wickets tumbled around him after England captain Joe Root had won the toss in overcast conditions at the home of cricket.
Mark Stoneman, Root and Dawid Malan fell cheaply to the Pakistan seamers in the morning, leaving England struggling at 43 for three before Cook and Jonny Bairstow steadied the innings with a partnership
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of 57. Bairstow, however, was bowled after lunch for 27 by a fine delivery from Faheem Ashraf and Cook’s three-hour vigil ended when Mohammad Amir produced an excellent ball that clipped his off stump. Ben Stokes unfurled a few trademark attacking strokes to reach 36 not out at the tea interval with Jos Buttler on 13, but England have plenty of work to do as they look to move on from a heavy Ashes defeat in Australia and a rare loss to New Zealand.
Pakistan had dominated the first session of the two-match series.
Stoneman’s unconvincing international career continued when he was bowled by Mohammad Abbas for four, beaten as he tried to drive a full-length delivery which clipped the top of his off stump. —