If England are to win this third Test and take a 2-1 lead into next week’s series finale at The Oval then they are going to have to do it the hard way after enduring a frustrating second day here in Birmingham.
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4 Pakistan players getting dismissed for a duck in their 50th Test including Mohammad Hafeez who got a four-ball duck in this match.
Maybe that’s why James Anderson, the leader of England’s attack, unravelled so spectacularly, his frustration for twice being warned for running onto the protected area of the pitch in his follow-through, personifying the frustration felt by his team.
20-year-old Sami Aslam replaced opening batsman Shan Masood while Sohail Khan is in for Wahab Riaz. He was, however, given two reprieves en route to the landmark.
The hosts therefore mustered what he hopes is a “par total” in the third Investec Test, despite a maiden five-wicket haul from Sohail Khan, at the start of a series which stands at 1-1 with two to play.
At lunch, Pakistan were 72 for one in reply to England’s first innings 297 – a deficit of 225 runs.
Azhar, finally out to the last ball of the day, rose above the histrionics.
Azhar Ali was out for 139 off the last ball of the day when caught by England captain Alastair Cook at first slip off Chris Woakes.
By the time Aslam was run out for 82 – with his partner’s woeful call for a quick single as culpable for his dismissal as James Vince’s sharp pick up and direct hit from short cover – 63 overs had passed and Pakistan were 181-2.
Azhar and Aslam’s stand, Pakistan’s second highest for the second wicket in this country, was a triumph of patience and sound shot selection.
But it was his initial exchange with West Indian official Wilson, who first flagged up the problem, that could yet land Anderson in trouble after he appeared to question the umpire’s judgement and snatched his cap from him at the end of an over.
“England bowlers don’t give you easy runs”.
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has urged his top order “to go big” in the third Test against England at Edgbaston starting today.
Azhar lamented the manner of Aslam’s exit 18 runs shy of what would have been a fairytale century. He did have the consolation of notching up his highest Test score so far, easily surpassing the 20 he made against Bangladesh in Khulna past year.
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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In what has become a familiar sight this series, the 31-year-old Azhar celebrated with several press-ups – a tribute to the Pakistan Army staff who helped the squad get fit during a pre-tour boot camp.
