Pakistan’s score at stumps actually represented somewhat of a recovery after their prospects looked even gloomier than the darkening skies overhead when reduced to 0-2 in Ollie Robinson’s first over.
Robinson (2-10) saw off Saim Ayub first ball – the opener, one of four players flown straight into the team after seven were axed from the touring squad, out for a pair – before Abdullah Shafique also nicked to the slips three deliveries later.
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It means that Robinson now has 28 wickets across his four Test appearances this summer, taking them at a staggering 7.75 apiece. In this series that improves even further to 6.66.
Joe Root’s grab at slip to send back Shafique moved him one clear of Australia’s Steve Smith and onto 220 in their personal battle to claim the most catches by an outfielder in Test cricket.
The clatter of wickets didn’t follow as it had in Pakistan’s first innings, with Azan Awais (29no) and Shan Masood (21no) sharing a fifty stand before the rain arrived – albeit Masood was put down on 13 by Ben Duckett, his third spill of the Test, off the unfortunate Gus Atkinson.
Earlier, England were bowled out for 452, earning a 320-run lead on first innings as Dan Lawrence (65), Jamie Smith (69) and Robinson (50) added half-centuries to those notched by Emilio Gay (60) and Harry Brook (75) on the first evening.
More to follow…
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England vs Pakistan – results and schedule
All games live on Sky Sports
- First Test (Headingley) – England won by innings and 103 runs
- Second Test (Lord’s) – England won by 194 runs
- Third Test (Edgbaston) – September 9-13
