England levelled the four-match series at 1-1 with a crushing 330-run win in the second Test at Old Trafford – a margin of victory that was testimony to the tourists’ batting woes.
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“I think we’ve had an okay day”, said Ballance, 26.
All eyes were on Aslam, also playing just his third Test, after the 20-year-old had been brought in to replace struggling opener Shan Masood.
Grumpy old bowler Anderson was in a sour mood for most of the day and had several run-ins with umpire Bruce Oxenford before he was warned twice for running on the pitch.
James Anderson has apologised for his “unacceptable” behaviour on day two of the third Investec Test, but may still face censure from match referee Richie Richardson.
“I had a bad half-hour where I let things get to me”, said Anderson.
“We’ve had discussions. We’ve given that position some serious thought”, said Arthur.
Misbah-ul-Haq was being coy in his press conference, saying he wanted to keep England guessing, but that his players knew what the team would be.
Rahat Ali then had England captain Alastair Cook lbw for a fluent 45.
In the process, Alastair Cook’s side executed the flawless red-ball game plan: win the toss; pile on the runs with your two best batsman taking charge; use scoreboard pressure and a relentless bowling attack to dismiss the opposition twice; clinch victory within four days.
“I’m not discounting Hales, but clearly Cook and Root are the beacon of England’s batting at the moment”.
But each part of that sequence, starting with 50-50 coin in the air, is reliant on the previous one and risky Pakistan, as they showed with a superb 75-run win at Lord’s, have the weapons to upset England at every stage.
However, Edgbaston has a reputation as a spin-friendly surface and Shah, still very much in the infancy of his Test career, will look to get back to his best this week.
Former captain Vaughan said England looked unable to “move in the same direction” without Stokes.
Number three Azhar had come in just five balls into Thursday s play after Mohammad Hafeez had fallen for a duck to leave Pakistan none for one.
Aslam had done his job, though, registering his first Test half-century on his way to an impressive 82.
He now plays with cricketers such as Moeen Ali, a respectful man it is impossible to imagine sledging an opponent, and Chris Woakes, one of the nicest guys in cricket, and Steven Finn, who directs his anger mainly at himself.
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“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”.
