England frustrated by rain as Pakistan toil

Abid Ali's fifty helps the tourists reach 126 for 5 before the third break for rain curtailed the opening day of the second Test at The Ageas Bowl

The Ageas Bowl: (first day of five): Pakistan 126-5, England

Scorecard

England enjoyed the better of a truncated opening day of the second Test against Pakistan after taking five of the tourists' first-innings wickets at The Ageas Bowl.

Abid Ali scored a resolute half-century but breakthroughs for all four of the hosts' seamers gave them a share of the spoils.

James Anderson, during a week in which he rubbished suggestions he was bound for retirement, typically led the way with 2-35.

Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and the recalled Sam Curran all got in on the act as Pakistan reached the close on 126 for 5.

Babar Azam will resume day two on an unbeaten 25 but conditions for batting are not likely to improve, with overcast skies predicted for much of the Test.

Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat but they would come to regret their decision by the end of day one.

Anderson trapped first Test centurion Shan Masood (1) lbw in the third over of the day, though the scalp was followed by some average England catching in the slips as both Dom Sibley and Rory Burns put down Abid.

The away side rallied and reached 62 for 1 when the first bout of rain forced an early lunch break, with Abid looking more assured.

^{Abid Aliu's fifty was a rare bright spot for Pakistan}

Azhar Ali (20) was soon dismissed after the resumption but once again Pakistan showed character to get to the second inforced interruption without any further losses.

An early tea was taken and that appeared to energise England and Abid, who reached his half-century and duly celebrated by removing his helmet, edged Curran behind to Burns.

Sibley then made amends for his own spill, grabbing hold of Asad Shafiq's (5) edge, off Broad.

Woakes then got in on the act as he trapped the returning Fawad Alam (0), playing his first Test since 2009, after facing just four balls.

Rain returned at 5pm and though it did temporarily relent, the threat of more showers and some unplayable light meant no further play was possible, leaving Babar to consider the prospect of batting under more dark skies come day two.

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