Scorecard : Pakistan 556: Masood 151, Salman 104* Shafique 102; Leach 3-160
England 96-1: Crawley 64*, Root 32*
England is 460 runs behind England overcame significant setbacks to reach 96-1 in reply to Pakistan’s massive 556 on day two of the first Test in Multan.
Ben Duckett hurt his left thumb taking the catch that ended the Pakistan innings, meaning Ollie Pope opened the batting in his place. Pope pulled his second ball to mid-wicket, where Aamer Jamal took a stunning one-handed catch.
To their credit, Zak Crawley and Joe Root were assured in defying the lively hosts. Crawley is on 64 and Root 32, England still 460 behind. All this at the end of another sapping day in the heat, as England’s stint in the field stretched to six sessions and Salman Ali Agha became the third home batter to register a century.
“Cricket – England Battling To Face Huge Pakistani Total In The First Test”
Salman survived on 15 when Chris Woakes’ spectacular boundary catch was ruled not out. TV umpire Chris Gaffaney adjudged that Woakes had a foot grounded beyond the rope in his attempt to throw up the ball and catch it again.
That would have been 420-7, England once more showing character on the true pitch, at one stage taking four wickets for 76 runs despite Saud Shakeel making 82 and night-watchman Naseem Shah 33.
But Salman took the game away from England, dishing out some punishment to the weary visiting bowlers. England can at least take some heart from Ben Stokes bowling on the outfield during the tea break as part of the captain’s bid to recover from a hamstring injury in time for the second Test.
BBC
