Leeds (GNP): Ali Usman was the standout performer for Pakistan on rain-hit day two of the Leeds Test against England as he picked up his maiden Test five-for on Friday here at the Headingley Cricket Ground.
England finished the day with 366-8 in 82 overs after resuming from overnight score of 112-2 in 25 overs.
England’s skipper Harry Brook was denied his 11th Test hundred by Ali, while Jordan Cox, Joe Root and Dan Lawrence also scored half-centuries to propel the hosts first innings lead to 195 runs after they were 59 runs behind at stumps on day one.
Ali Usman, who became first left-arm spinner from Pakistan and sixth from the country to take a five-for in England, bowled unchanged in the last session, sending down 14 overs on the trot and claimed four scalps.
His first of the day came 10 overs before the tea and it also helped Pakistan break the 150-run stand between Root and Cox. Ali also got a hat-trick chance towards the end and had figures of 23-1-92-5 when the stumps were drawn.
The start of day two was delayed by rain and then wet outfield as the lunch was taken without a ball bowled. When England started, Cox (73, 100b, 14x4s) and Root (66, 112b, 10x4s) piled on runs for 19 overs straight with the former also getting a reprieve as Khurram dropped him in his follow through.
Ali induced a sharp outside edge off Cox and was pouched by Rizwan. The decision was reviewed by the batter resulting in England losing their review. In the subsequent, 45th over, Khurram pinned Root leg-before to give Pakistan another breakthrough and the decision – which was reviewed again – was upheld.
Khurram was denied the wicket of Brook early on in the 47th over as Salman Ali Agha couldn’t catch an edge that flew to his right at the second slip. Brook and Lawrence then added 120 runs together off 151 balls on either side of tea break.
England lost four for 44 courtesy Ali running rampage in his 14-over spell as he first forced a top-edge off Lawrence (51, 79b, 9x4s) in the 70th over, which was caught by Rizwan as he sprinted towards short square. Five overs latter, Ali clattered Brook’s stumps to extend his wait for a home Test century.
In the 80th over, Ali delivered a double blow by first pinning Gus Atkinson leg-before and then castled Ollie Robinson to claim his maiden Test and 13th first-class five-for. Jamie Smith (16, 35b, 2x4s) and Jofra Archer safely saw off the remaining 13 balls before the close of play at the end of 82nd over.
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Scores in brief
Stumps – Day 2
1st Test – Pakistan v England at the Headingley Cricket Stadium, Leeds
England lead by 195 runs with two wickets left in first innings
Pakistan 171 all out, 48.1 overs (Abdullah Shafique 61, Imam-ul-Haq 42, Salman Ali Agha 21; Josh Tongue 5-46, Ollie Robinson 5-51)
England 366-8, 82 overs (Harry Brook 91, Jordan Cox 72, Joe Root 66, Dan Lawrence 51, Emilio Gay 33; Ali Usman 5-92)
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
