Despite that setback, Pakistan are now a mere 40 runs behind and still have seven wickets left in hand in their first innings.
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The stand finally ended when left-hander Aslam was run out by James Vince going for a quick single that was never on with a ton there for the taking, but Azhar was not to be denied and copied his captain Misbah-ul-Haq’s press-ups celebrations after ending a wait of over 13 months for a Test century. Younis Khan although remained not out at 21 after again looking fidgety out in the middle.
“The last ball is always nervy – it was a loose shot”, Azhar told Sky Sports.
“I had a bad half an hour, I got frustrated”.
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.
But Anderson’s response in an initial exchange with Joel Wilson, in his morning spell from the pavilion end, made especially uncomfortable viewing as he appeared to dispute the umpire’s judgment and snatched his cap from him at the end of the over.
Jimmy Anderson conceded his on-field behaviour was “out of order” during the second day at Edgbaston and the England fast bowler apologised after stumps for a running verbal battle with the umpires that could result in him being hit with a disciplinary charge.
“Guys were getting starts but weren’t able to kick on, but overall we’re pretty happy with it”.
England will need to bowl them out before tea if they are not to leave themselves with too much to do and with Yasir Shah to fend off on a deteriorating pitch.
“All credit to the Pakistan guys at the top of the order – they played really well”.
Azhar and Aslam combined to steady the innings after Mohammad Hafeez was caught at point by Gary Ballance off pacer James Anderson in the first over for a duck.
The tourists had seen Sohail Khan, one of their two changes from the side beaten by 330 runs in the second Test at Old Trafford as England levelled the four-match series at 1-1, take five wickets on Wednesday.
Aslam who was brought in place of Shan Masood for the Edgbaston Test made his first half-century in Test match cricket and was looking set to get his first hundred as well. The well-organised opener played with a maturity belying his years in both attack and defence.
Anderson’s mood was not helped when Joe Root dropped Azhar Ali on 38 off his bowling.
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.
After the break, both batsmen drove Ali, who posed few problems in 15 wicketless overs that cost 63 runs, for a straight six.
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“If you can scrap and work really hard for your runs, then there is no reason you can’t get runs here”, he added.
