Ben Stokes has been ruled out of the final Test against Pakistan due to a calf injury sustained during the second Test at Old Trafford, although England still hope he could be involved in the limited-overs series that follows.
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Azhar Ali’s patient century lifted Pakistan to 257 for three and a dominant position on the second day of the third Test against England at Edgbaston on Thursday.
Younus Khan (R) applauds as Azhar Ali celebrates reaching his century at Edgbaston in Birmingham, on August 4, 2016.
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.
“The last ball is always nervy – it was a loose shot”, Azhar told Sky Sports.
“If you really have to put pressure on the opposition, it’s important to get their main players out because those are the two pillars of their batting”, said Misbah.
“The reputation is we don’t perform in English conditions and you want to prove that wrong”.
Anderson may have struck early to remove Hafeez but England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker found himself involved in unpleasant scenes with on-field umpires Bruce Oxenford and Joel Wilson.
Paceman Anderson said he had apologised to the umpires after showing dissent when he was warned for running down the wicket. “I let things get to me and my behaviour wasn’t acceptable, a bit petulant”.
With both men batting slowly but steadily, they offered very few chances, displaying both patience and fortitude in equal measure as they ended the opening session of the day on 72/1.
The hosts made an early breakthrough with the fourth ball of the day when Mohammad Hafeez cut James Anderson straight to Gary Ballance at point and was out for a duck.
Now all eyes were on Aslam, also playing just his third Test, after he had replaced struggling fellow left-handed opener Shan Masood.
Then Moeen, in his home town and on what was once his home ground, passed his half-century with a pull off Rahat Ali for his fifth four from 99 balls to help ensure England did not fall too short after surprisingly being put in by Misbah-ul-Haq.
Yet the well-organised opener played with a maturity belying his years in both attack and defence.
His initial frustration appeared to stem from Joe Root dropping Azhar on 38 at second slip, a costly fielding mistake that has been a hallmark of England’s cricket this summer.
The stylish 31-year-old was equally severe when fast bowler Steven Finn dropped short, cutting him for four over point.
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Azhar and Aslam were content to continue the slow grind, and were repaid with 50s which respectively contained six and five fours from 129 and 135 balls.
