Tag: England

Ben Stokes claimed two late wickets as England clawed their way back into the first test at Old Trafford by reducing Pakistan to 137/8 in their second innings at stumps on Day 3.

The hosts, resuming at 92/4, started steadily as the overnight pair of Ollie Pope and Jos Buttler added 35 runs, before Pope, having scored a composed half century, was caught at gully by Shadab Khan off Naseem Shah for 62.

Buttler, having missed three chances behind the stumps, was under pressure and scrapped his way through a scratchy 38, before falling to Yasir Shah in his second delivery after lunch.

Dom Bess made just a single before he was caught at slip by a leaping Asad Shafiq off Yasir.

England were reeling at 170-8 but Stuart Broad added 49 invaluable runs in the company of Jofra Archer and James Anderson. They were being bowled out for 219, giving visitors a huge lead of 107 runs.

Pakistan’s second innings started disastrously as first innings centurion Shan Masood was caught down the leg side by Buttler off Broad for a duck.

Abid Ali, who was given a life by Stokes, failed to make it count, as he was caught at deep mid wicket by Woakes off Bess for 20.

Woakes continued to trouble the opposition batsmen, first bagging the prize scalp of Babar Azam, caught at slip by Stokes for 5, and then trapping skipper Azhar Ali LBW for 18 runs.

Wicket keeper Rizwan, who was impressive behind the stumps, batted well in a partnership of 38 runs for the fifth wicket with Asad Shafiq, before a smart piece of fielding from Sibley saw the latter run out for 29.

Stokes claimed the wicket of Rizwan trapping him leg before wicket for 27. Shadab Khan fell in a similar manner to Broad.

Stokes then claimed his second as he had tailender Shaheen caught fending at a short ball just before the close of play. Pakistan ended Day 3 at 137/8, with an overall lead of 244.

Shan Masood’s brilliant century, followed by some top class Pakistan bowling left England reeling and put the tourist in a commanding position at the end of Day 2 of the opening test at Manchester on Thursday. Continue reading “England vs Pakistan First Test Day 2 Match Report-2020”

Shan Masood (46)* along with Babar Azam (69)* led Pakistan to a solid position at 139/2 at the end of Day 1, when bad light forced an early close at Old Trafford.

Here are our talking points from Day 1.

Resilient Shan Masood

England is generally regarded as one of the toughest places for an opening batsman. Masood became the first overseas opener in nearly four years to face more than 100 balls in the first innings of a test in the country. He was an able foil to Babar Azam, and their partnership helped Pakistan recover from the early loses of the two Ali’s- Abid & Azhar.

Buttler’s errors behind the stumps

Masood was dogged but also had a little bit of help from Jos Butler who gave him a couple of reprieves. One was a drop catch behind the wicket and the other was a missed stumping of the bowling off Dom Bess. Many have been clamouring for the inclusion of Ben Foakes into the starting line up but Buttler’s ex factor with the bat appears him to be keeping him in the side.

Pakistan choose to bat first

Unlike the West Indies who opted to field after winning the toss in the previous series, Pakistan opted to take first guard here. Its perhaps too early to predict whether the decision will prove right or wrong, but the visitors will be fairly happy with the state of affairs at the end of Day 1.

Brilliant Babar

Much of the talk about the Pakistan batting in the lead up to the series has resolved around one individual- Babar Azam, and he did not disappoint, with a dazzling array of strokes for a well compiled half century. Babar is one of those aesthetically pleasing batsman and Pakistan would be hoping that he can kick on tomorrow.

Pakistan after the end of Day 1- 139/2

Shan Masood (46)*, Babar Azam (69)*

Out of 7 games played against England at Manchester, Pakistan’s only victory came way back in the year 2001, where they defeated the home side by 108 runs. Continue reading “Pakistan’s test record against England at Old Trafford”