Pakistan keep England at bay in first Test

Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq put on a century opening stand after the tourists were bowled out for their highest score in Asia

Nick Howson | 02/12/2022 at 11:52

Rawalpindi (second day of five): England 657, Pakistan 181-0 - Pakistan are 476 runs behind with 10 first innings wickets remaining

Scorecard

England remain in a healthy position in the first Test against Pakistan despite being frustrated in their search for wickets on day two in Rawalpindi.

Openers Abdullah Shafique (89 not out) and Imam-ul-Haq's (90 not out) unbeaten century stand kept the tourists at bay on a pitch showing little sign of life.

Earlier, England were bowled out for 657, their highest Test score in Asia. Harry Brook converted his maiden century into 153 which included hitting a record-breaking 27 from a single over off Zahid Mahmood.

The legspinner endured another torrid day, finishing with 4 for 235 - the most runs shipped by a Test debutant.

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^{Ben Stokes tried all he could to get a breakthrough (AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)}

Despite Ben Stokes continuing with attacking fields, Pakistan's top two held firm and only offered half chances.

Following a sedate start, Shafique turned a James Anderson delivery to Ben Duckett at short leg, with the ball striking his hand at a rate of knots and going to ground.

Two overs later, Jack Leach appeared to have beaten the bat of Imam, at the time on 11.

Snicko later indicated there was contact on the ball, which could conceivably have been the bat brushing the pad, but Ollie Pope - a late replacement for the ill Ben Foakes - spilt the ball behind the stumps.

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Chances were few and far between for the tourists (AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)

A breakthrough seemed to have been achieved after tea when Shafique gloved a short ball from Anderson down the leg side.

The umpires, who had given a signal of out on the field, went upstairs but TV official Asif Yaqoob concluded the ball had hit the floor before being grabbed by Pope.

And another half chance came the way of Keaton Jennings, who wore one at short leg as Shafique looked to turn the ball into the leg-side off Leach.

But they were brief openings for the away side, who finished the day empty-handed though their lead remains handsome. Pakistan, to their credit, emerged from their shell in the final hour and went on the attack to take the stand to 181 at the close, but they'll need to show more stubbornness on days three and four.