The Pakistan pace bowler looked unsafe from his first ball, his express pace and good control would have made him a threat to any batsman, never mind a top order under extreme pressure.
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It was only fantastic batting performances from Moeen Ali who scored a century and Jonny Bairstow (55) plus a solid effort from Chris Woakes (45) batting at eight that saved the England innings and gave them what should be more than a respectable score. The 105-run unbeaten stand between Alastair Cook and Joe Root in England’s second innings at Old Trafford tops this list at a scoring rate of 7.41.
England dropped three catches and managed only the wicket of nightwatchman Yasir Shah on the second morning of the fourth Investec Test at The Oval.
Moeen admits, earlier in his career, he might have reacted differently after being hit on the helmet by a Wahab Riaz bouncer.
Moeen was then badly dropped on nine by Azhar Ali off the bowling of Mohammad Amir, before making the most of his reprieve by going on to make an excellent 108. Live coverage of day two begins on Sky Sports 2 at 10.30am on Friday.
It seems churlish to mention that Moeen’s primary job is as the senior spin bowler – and he has yet to prove he is up to it at the highest level. He made just one here and although he was undone by a good delivery from Wahab, he looks unlikely to be named in the winter tour squads – barring a huge contribution in the second innings.
Alex Hales was the first wicket to fall and his dismissal set tongues wagging, with the opener given out in controversial circumstances.
England won the toss and opted to bat first under overcast conditions.
Alastair Cook dismissed claims of ball tampering by his team at Edgbaston as “a load of rubbish”.
It was embarrassing for Moeen Ali when he was bowled cheaply in the fourth innings at Lord’s where Yasir Shah guided Pakistan to a series-opening triumph last week. Pakistan’s fielding was flawed again: before they spilled Moeen, Cook was also put down at first slip.
“We make two changes – Mohammad Hafeez and Rahat Ali are not playing, Iftikhar Ahmed and Wahab Riaz are in”.
The all-rounder was particularly strong through point and extra cover on the drive, unfurling some glorious shots, advancing into the forties with three successive boundaries off Wahab.
This time, Bairstow and Moeen combined to launch a remarkable recovery and added 103 runs for the sixth wicket.
It was another good catch by Sarfraz, an aggressive wicketkeeper-batsman whose sharp glovework this series has stood in stark contrast to Bairstow’s struggles behind the stumps.
Hales was responding, equivocally, to his team-mate Stuart Broad, after the bowler had questioned a journalist’s assessment that “replays are unclear but umps say out” by posting: “replays are unclear?”
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Pakistan were dealt a huge blow when they came out to survive for the three overs left on Day One.
