Bowlers put England in control at lunch
Pakistan were on 187-5 at lunch as England bowlers put on the leash on the Pakistan batsmen as they could only accumulate 48 runs in 26 overs, losing three wickets.
After nearly half of the first day's play was abandoned, the second day showed promises of an exciting match at Old Trafford. England managed to pick up three wickets in the morning session to get into the driving seat but with Shan Masood well set on 77, Pakistan are also not far away.
Pakistan were on 187-5 at lunch as Masood was accompanied by Shadab Khan on 1. England bowlers put on the leash on the travelling batsmen as Pakistan could only accumulate 48 runs in 26 overs, losing three wickets.
James Anderson struck in the very first over of the day to dismiss Babar Azam, who looked fantastic on the previous day. A classic Jimmy Anderson dismissal as Babar looked to drive and rather than the boundary, he could only find Joe Root at second slip.
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Asad Shafiq soon followed as Stuart Broad found his edge and was taken by Ben Stokes. And despite Chris Woakes nicking off Mohammad Rizwan, nobody could get the better off Masood.
The opener became the first Pakistani batsman to play more than 200 balls in a Test match at England since Saeed Anwar in 1996. The highlights reel might be full of Babar but if Pakistan get a strong total, that would be the left-handed opener's work.
Earlier on day one, England skipper Azhar Ali won the toss and opted to bat first. Opener Abid Ali was sent back by Jofra Archer and the skipper followed with a duck. But a 96-run stand put Pakistan in a comfortable position before bad light stopped day's play prematurely after continuous rain interruptions throughout the day.
Brief Score:
Pakistan: 187-5 (Masood 77*, Babar 69, Abid 16, Woakes 2-28, Broad 1-28, Archer 1-39, Anderson 1-44)
