Eng vs Pak 1st Test Day 2 Review: Pakistan peg back England with a commanding performance

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Pakistan
Image Courtesy: Outlook India/ India TV

England’s first test curse will most likely last another series as Pakistan soared to dominance after a dodgy first day. Shan Masood’s impressive ton and Pakistan pace battery’s assault were too hot for the hosts to handle. 

With only 49 overs being bowled yesterday, play resumed on Day 2 with an expectation of uninterrupted action. England had the dream start through James Anderson after Babar Azam edged one to first slip in the very first over of the day. The ace batsman could not add to his overnight tally of 69.

Stuart Broad was not left behind as he also managed to earn the edge of Asad Shafiq who departed for just 7. A collapse was anticipated with England picking their third wicket in quick succession, leaving Pakistan at 176-5 from 139-2.

Pakistan
Image Courtesy: Outlook India/ India TV

England having aced the session hoped to finish the task in the second session. However, a resilient knock by Shan Masood which eventually turned into a century spoiled England’s aspirations. Masood hit his third successive hundred and became only the fifth overseas batsman to record a ton in England since 2015.

Masood was aided by Shadab Khan who chipped in with a crucial inning of 45 as the visitors neared the 300-run mark.

The tail, however, struggled to assist Masood against Archer who proceeded to rack up the wickets in the end. Pakistan ended up with a first-innings total of 326.

Pakistan’s new-look attack impresses

Pakistan’s revamped pace battery of Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi took off from the word go.

Left-arm pacer Afridi was the first to find a breakthrough. Rory Burns was trapped LBW and had to make his way back after a successful review attempt by Pakistan.

England’s misery piled on with the dismissal of Dom Sibley and Ben Stokes in quick succession. Skipper Joe Root had an uphill task to rescue his side from 12-3 against a rampant Pakistan bowling unit.

Root managed to hold the fort along with Ollie Pope with the latter opting for the counter-attacking approach. Yasir Shah got the English captain for just 13.

Jos Buttler and Ollie Pope managed to keep the bowlers at bay to see out the day. Pope hit six fours en route an unbeaten 46 off 68 and emerged as a lone bright spot in England’s disaster class.

Brief scoreboard:

Pakistan 326 all out  (S.Masood 156; S.Broad 3-54)

England 92-4 (O.Pope 46*; M.Abbas 2-24)

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