But it was downhill from there for Alastair Cook’s men as the much-maligned Pakistan batting order took advantage of some wayward bowling and an increasingly benign wicket to end the day on 257/3.
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It was all a far cry from Pakistan’s 75-run win in the first Test at Lord’s, which featured an inspiring century from Misbah.
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.
Pakistan managed to knock down one of those pillars when Root, playing one of his favourite back-foot forcing shots, edged Sohail and was safely held by sometimes fallible slip fielder Mohammad Hafeez.
181 by Aslam and Azhar Ali is the second highest second wicket stand for Pakistan against England in all Tests.
Despite that late setback, Pakistan trail by just 40 runs heading into day three with Younis Khan 21 not out.
“That competitive edge has helped me throughout my career and at times I can get close to that line”, he said.
It was Bruce Oxenford who officially warned him twice in the same over – leaving him one more admonishment from being excluded from the attack for the remainder of a Pakistan innings which reached 257 for three by stumps at Edgbaston. It was unacceptable. I apologised to both umpires for my behaviour.
“I know I was out of order for the way I behaved”.
“Guys were getting starts but weren’t able to kick on, but overall we’re pretty happy with it”.
Pakistan were none for one just four balls into their innings when Hafeez fell for a duck after lazily guiding a short James Anderson delivery to Gary Ballance at point.
Aslam s only prior innings this tour was his 17 against Worcestershire during last week s two-day warm-up match.
Aslam’s swept four off Ali then saw him to the landmark, his maiden Test fifty coming in 135 balls with five boundaries.
James Anderson (R) turns his back as Younus Khan (2R) applauds Azhar Ali celebrating.
Those scores remained unaltered when Azhar, in a rare indiscretion, went for a flashing drive outside off stump against Anderson, only for Joe Root to drop the awkward second-slip chance to his left.
Azhar had another life when Moeen (0-63) failed to take a sharp chance off his own bowling before lofting the spinner for a straight six and the impressive Aslam followed suit as the runs continued to come easily for the tourists.
Woakes’s last-gasp effort ensured it wasn’t completely Pakistan’s day, but it’s the visiting side who are better placed right now to break the 1-1 series deadlock and go ahead.
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This innings comfortably surpassed Aslam’s previous Test-best of 20 against Bangladesh in Khulna past year.
