Pakistan’s Innings on Day Two
On the second day of the second Test, Pakistan faced a challenging period, particularly in their 28th over. Jofra Archer bowled to Azan Awais, beating him with a lifter and then a length ball. Despite an appeal for a nick, a review by Awais led to a reprieve, as the skies darkened and rain began to fall heavily.
Earlier, in the 26th over, Mohammad Rizwan took a single off Archer. Archer had an appeal for LBW against Awais, but Joe Root opted not to review, a decision confirmed by replays showing the ball doing too much. The 25th over saw Ollie Robinson bowl a maiden to Awais, concluding with a delivery that beat the batter. Robinson’s wicket of Saud Shakeel was his first of the match and his 16th for England this summer.
The 24th over, bowled by Gus Atkinson, proved expensive for England. Awais capitalised on Atkinson’s bowling, hitting a cover drive for four, a miscued drive for four more, and a push down the ground for three. This over contributed to Pakistan scoring 58 runs in the preceding ten overs, though England also secured three wickets during this period.
A bowling change in the 23rd over brought Robinson back into the attack, resulting in the wicket of Shakeel, who was out LBW for 16. Shakeel had shown intent, scoring his runs off 16 balls. This wicket left Pakistan at 63-4. The 22nd over saw Awais hit two fours off Atkinson, prompting calls for a bowling change. In the 21st over, Josh Tongue continued for a sixth successive over, but Shakeel scored three fours off his bowling, including a square drive, a cover drive, and a leg glance.
The 20th over, bowled by Atkinson, saw Awais play a measured stroke for two runs, followed by a loose drive. Tongue’s 19th over was mixed, featuring a swinging yorker to Awais, a half-volley hit for four by Shakeel, and a wide delivery that went for five wides. In the 18th over, Atkinson maintained pressure, with Tongue then taking the wicket of Babar Azam, caught by Jordan Cox for 8 runs, leaving Pakistan at 30-3.
England’s First Innings and Day One Summary
On the first day, Pakistan’s decision to bowl first proved beneficial under overcast conditions. Their seamers made early breakthroughs against England’s top order. Ben Duckett scored 17, and Emilio Gay made 8 before being dismissed by Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Ali. England captain Joe Root fell for 4, while Harry Brook (15) and Dan Lawrence (17) also failed to establish significant innings, as Ali and Abbas maintained pressure.
Jordan Cox played a patient innings, scoring 55 runs off 105 deliveries, absorbing pressure and blunting the older ball. He formed a partnership with wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith, who contributed 61 runs off 80 balls. Smith’s innings provided momentum, counter-attacking the seamers before Khurram Shahzad dismissed Cox. Smith praised Cox’s calm and assured presence at the crease, noting their history of playing together in younger age groups and for England Under-19s.
Gus Atkinson added a quick 34 runs from 27 balls, helping England surpass the 200-run mark. Mohammad Abbas returned to bowl, aiming to finish the tail, but Jofra Archer (14*) and Josh Tongue (1*) survived the final deliveries of the day. At stumps on Day 1, England reached 248/9 after 56 overs.
England’s Run Chase on Day Two
Later on Day Two, England began their run chase, with the target set at 312. In the 47th over, Jofra Archer bowled, beating the bat on the first ball. An appeal was made but not given out. Two runs were then scored through midwicket, followed by a boundary that generated excitement among the crowd. The match saw contributions from players like Ollie Robinson and Jordan Cox, both from Thanet, with their teammate Ben Duckett also hailing from Kent.
Rain interruptions affected play, with groundstaff preparing the field for a potential resumption. The weather had caused delays earlier in the day as well. The match continued to be a contest, with both teams battling through the conditions and each other’s bowling attacks.
The second Test between England and Pakistan has been marked by fluctuating fortunes and weather interruptions, with England at 198-4 in their chase of 312 in the 47th over.
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Source: theguardian.com
Ananya Iyer is a reporter at Latest News, covering society, culture and human-interest stories from across India.
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