Azhar’s 293-ball vigil lasted for more than six hours before Chris Woakes got him to edge the day’s last ball to Alastair Cook, the England captain, who took a sharp catch at first slip.
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On a true surface offering less lateral movement than day one, the ball swung throughout but England – with the possible exception of Anderson – were often too short.
The stand finally ended when left-hander Aslam was run out by James Vince going for a quick single that was never on with a ton there for the taking, but Azhar was not to be denied and copied his captain Misbah-ul-Haq’s press-ups celebrations after ending a wait of over 13 months for a Test century.
Azhar played well enough in fact to be able to celebrate his first century outside Asia in Pakistan’s self-styled manner this summer, with a dressing-room salute and press-ups. Unfortunately I didn’t finish it off but it’s still a good day for us.
The four-Test series is now level at 1-1 and England were dismissed for 297 at the end of the first day of the third Test on Wednesday.
“Now, I have got another chance which I will not let go”.
Gary Ballance and Moeen Ali struck assured half centuries to leave the third Investec Test match against Pakistan evenly poised after day one in Birmingham.
“I know I was out of order with the way I behaved back then and have apologised to both umpires”.
Anderson was removed from the attack by the umpire Aleem Dar for running on the pitch during the third Test with South Africa in Johannesburg over the winter and while he conceded it remains a minor problem in his game, he insists he does not want to lose his fiery nature on the field.
Their partnership for the same amount rescued the tourists from their ignominious start and Azhar and Younis Khan, who finished unbeaten on 21, pushed them within 40 runs of England’s total with seven wickets remaining. “All credit to those two guys at the top of the order for them, they played very well”.
Anderson’s mood was not helped when Joe Root dropped Azhar Ali on 38 off his bowling.
That was nearly Azhar’s undoing, though, as he advanced down the track and smashed a return catch to Moeen Ali, the ball bursting through the off-spinner’s hands as he attempted to snare a hard chance above his head.
But Anderson’s response in an initial exchange with Joel Wilson, in his morning spell from the pavilion end, made especially uncomfortable viewing as he appeared to dispute the umpire’s judgment and snatched his cap from him at the end of the over.
Sami scored 82 off 176 balls before he was run out while Azhar went on to smash a century.
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This innings comfortably surpassed Aslam s previous Test-best of 20 against Bangladesh in Khulna a year ago.
