When Azhar reached his century – a tenth in all and first outside of Asia – he dropped for the obligatory press ups and Anderson’s look of disdain was a picture.
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The pacer removed Mohammad Hafeez to make things hard for Pakistan. Pakistan won the first Test at Lord’s and the England bounced back to register a convincing win at Manchester.
Pakistan seized control of the third Test against England at Edgbaston today, as Azhar Ali went to his 10th Test century after sharing a stand of 181 with Sami Aslam.
The recalled Aslam scored a Test-best 82.
Ballance and James Vince, each short of runs in the first two Tests, nearly doubled England’s total after they hit early trouble against Pakistan seamer Sohail Khan in his comeback Test.
“The last ball is always nervy – it was a loose shot”, Azhar told Sky Sports.
As reported by cricket.com.au, Anderson said, “I’ve apologised for my behaviour to the umpires”.
England and Pakistan are level at 1-1 as the Test series enters its third chapter at Edgbaston.
England’s all-time leading wicket-taker kept his discipline with the ball, if not entirely in his deportment between deliveries, and runs did not come easily – only 23, in fact, from 13 overs in the first hour of the afternoon.
Anderson flaunted his usual aggression as he had been alarmed by umpires Bruce Oxenford and Joel Wilson for protected area of the pitch.
“I’m enjoying it a bit more… and I feel like I’ve fitted straight back in”, he added.
“I think we’ve had an okay day”, said Ballance, 26.
Boycott was impressed with Pakistan’s defensive play, saying: “It’s a credit to the discipline and patience they have shown”. 20-year-old Sami Aslam replaced opening batsman Shan Masood while Sohail Khan is in for Wahab Riaz.
And when Azhar was dropped off a caught and bowled chance by Moeen Ali just before tea, it meant England had been on the receiving end of a first full session of the series when no wickets had fallen.
Yet the well-organised opener played with a maturity belying his years in both attack and defence.
Azhar’s cover-driven three off fast bowler Steven Finn saw him to a 129-ball fifty, including six fours.
Moeen Ali, the offspinner, received similar treatment, Azhar cutting a rank short ball for four.
Azhar nearly fell to Ali on 68, but the bowler was unable to hold a return chance above his head off a hard-hit drive. Batters like Gary Ballance, Alex Hales and James Vince are more conventional characters than Trott and Pietersen while Cook himself is a not a confrontational person.
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But, Sohail Khan seen off all the doubts among Pakistan supporters and proved to be “surprise weapon” for English batsmen, who probably were confident to dominant third Test too.
