Rose Bowl: Pakistan slumped to 126-5 before a third stoppage for rain led to an end to play on the first day of the second Test against England at the Rose Bowl on Thursday.
Abid Ali struck 60 — after being dropped twice early in his 111-ball innings — and was comfortably Pakistan’s top scorer on a tough day for the tourists in changing weather.
Jimmy Anderson was retained for the match, despite struggling in England’s three-wicket win in the first test in Manchester last week, and the paceman repaid that faith by removing Shan Masood (1) in the third over and captain Azhar Ali (20) after lunch. It gave England’s record wicket-taker figures of 2-35 and he is up to 592 in tests.
After the toss — won by Pakistan — was made under sunny skies, Pakistan began batting in overcast conditions and a shower brought up an early lunch. More rain came midway through the second session, which the tourists finished on 85-2.
And only about an hour was possible after tea, when Pakistan lost three wickets — including Abid, who edged recalled seamer Sam Curran to Rory Burns at second slip. Burns had been the second slip fielder to drop Abid before lunch, the right-handed opener having already been given a life on 0 by Dom Sibley’s drop diving to his left at third slip.
As with Burns, Sibley made amends by taking a smart catch low down to remove Asad Shafiq (5) to give Stuart Broad his first wicket.