The hosts made a ideal start when James Anderson dismissed Mohammad Hafeez with just the fourth ball of the innings, the opener picking out Gary Ballance at backward point.
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The series is now tied at 1-1 after England cancelled out Pakistan’s triumph at Lord’s with victory at Old Trafford. “The way I behaved didn’t look great”, Anderson added.
England played like a “car without a wheel” as they struggled to cope without injured all-rounder Ben Stokes, with Pakistan in control after day two of the third Test at Edgbaston.
Both looked set to bat out the rest of the day but Azhar pushed Woakes to the offside and called his partner through for a tight single.
“But I’m really pleased that I got a hundred today”.
Anderson was twice warned by umpire Bruce Oxenford for running on the pitch and may face action from match referee Richie Richardson if it is decided he spoke out of turn to the official.
Sami was not far behind his more experienced partner in going to his half-century, the first of his Test career, and as the tea interval approached both batsmen began to show more positive intent.
Live score and live updates from Day 1 of the 3rd Test between Pakistan and England at Edgbaston.
Root, who made 254 in the last test, was caught at first slip by Mohammad Hafeez for three and Cook was trapped lbw by Rahat Ali before England took lunch on 3-100.
Pakistan was in trouble at none for one, but the second-wicket partnership between Azhar and Sami Aslam, the recalled opener, first put the team back on track and then pushed England on the back foot.
Ali celebrated his 10th Test century with a customary round of 10 push-ups that has become a trademark for the Pakistan players.
The early overs were not entirely promising as Cook and Hales skipped out of the blocks, but after the opening half an hour Pakistan’s bowlers tightened their lines and the rewards came.
It felt like being the only way England were going to get a wicket, with the pair adding 181 together by leaving the ball with such patience and determination.
“But that’s just the way I play the game, I’m competitive, I want to try and get wickets and when the day is a frustrating one like this, it can get a little bit frustrating”.
That left Pakistan 143 runs behind England’s first innings 297.
Cook said there was still a slim chance England could give a home debut to leg-spinner Adil Rashid if there was a marked change in pitch conditions between Tuesday and Wednesday’s toss at Edgbaston.
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However, Anderson’s frustrations on this second day mirrored the mood of his teammates who know they may well have blown their chance of winning this Test and the series.
