Assured 20-year-old opener Aslam, playing only his third Test, missed out on a first worldwide hundred when he was run out, but Azhar took his tally of Test centuries to 10 before he was caught off the last ball of the day from Chris Woakes as Pakistan closed on 257-3 in reply to 297.
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Sohail’s previous two Tests, the last nearly five years ago, had brought him a solitary wicket at the cost of 245 runs.
A stress fracture of the back after last year’s World Cup provided a further check on his progress.
If Pakistan were pleased by that success, they were positively ecstatic a short while later when Root, who made 325 runs over two innings at Old Trafford, edged to first slip as he tried to force Sohail off the back foot.
“But no excuses – I worked hard and it paid off”.
Finn’s first spell was notable for his efforts as he charged in, flinging the ball down at good pace, but there were not enough deliveries threatening the batsmen, a charge that could be laid against all England’s bowlers.
Ballance was dropped after last summer’s Lord’s defeat mid-Ashes – and admits he perhaps allowed himself to be weighed down at times during his first run in Test cricket. “With a bit of cloud cover, we bowl well and get a second-innings lead, we will have a chance”.
England all-rounder, Ben Stokes, who sustained a calf injury during the second innings of the second Test against Pakistan at Old Trafford, was ruled out of the rest of the four-match series on Wednesday (August 3).
England know if the 42-year-old is able to repeat that party piece again here then the game will nearly certainly be well and truly up.
No side has won a Test batting first in Birmingham since England’s legendary win over Australia in 2005, but eyebrows were still raised when Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and sent England to the crease.
Misbah had described the pair as the “pillars” of an otherwise fragile-looking England top order. He was safely held by Mohammad Hafeez – who is playing his 50th Test – which is not something that can always be said.
It eventually took a communication break-up between the two batsmen for James Vince to run out Aslam.
Alastair Cook had a little early luck on his side, twice within inches of edging on to his own stumps – against Sohail on one and then Rahat Ali on 15.
But Wilson’s decision was duly upheld and England had lost their second “pillar” at 75 for three.
Despite that late setback, Pakistan trail by just 40 runs heading into day three with Younis Khan 21 not out.
Jonny Bairstow was surprised with the bounce of a right-arm seamer and gave wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed one of five catches.
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England’s tail briefly wagged as Ali made 63, but Sohail wrapped up the innings and his five-four by trapping Steve Finn LBW.
