England square series 1-1
Manchester – July 25, 2016: England won the Second Investec Test Match by the huge margin of 330 runs. Despite the surprising decision not to enforce the follow-on, England were still able to bowl Pakistan with a day to spare. The series is now tied 1-1 and onlookers are looking forward to the next two test matches in an exciting series.
After their surprising decision not to enforce the follow on England been the day on 98-1 in their second innings.
Root and Cook resumed their innings and Cook soon notched up his fifty with a cover drive for four from Rahat Ali. It was Cook’s 79th and fastest fifty in test cricket.Soon Joe Root raced along to his fifty too off just 38 balls with a slog sweep for four from Yasir Shah. He became only the third Englishman to make a 250 and a fifty in the same test.At 11.40 the declaration finally came, England declaring on 173-1 and a lead of 564. England had added 75 runs in nine overs this morning.
So now the real challenge began and Pakistan began their second innings with almost two days to bat.
Almost immediately James Anderson struck Mohammad Hafeez on the arm requiring treatment.
Worse was to follow and James Anderson removed Shan Masood for 1 who edged an out swinger to Cook at second slip. Shan Masood has now been dismissed six times by Anderson which is each time he has bowled to him.
With the score at 25 Anderson dismissed Azhar Ali for 8 too with a ball that nipped back into his pads to trap him LBW.
Younis Khan was given a chance on 3 when Cook dropped him from a straightforward chance from Stokes.
By lunch with lusty blows from Younis and Hafeez from Moeen Ali Pakistan had progressed to 47-2.
There was concern for England after lunch when Stokes walked off the field after sustaining a right calf injury. he was to take no further part in the day’s play. Moeen Ali had to complete the over for him. Hafeez welcomed him with a six over long on.Moeen got his revenge shortly afterwards with Balance taking a bat pad catch from Hafeez who had made 42. Younis and Hafeez had put on 58.
Misbah came in and hoisted Moeen for a huge six over long on. He soon hit Broad for four too through cover.
Moeen struck again when Hales caught Younis at long on for 28.
Asad Shafiq came in and was soon in the runs.
As so often this series Woakes then struck and bowled Misbah with a yorker for 35. Asap Shafiq responded shortly afterwards with back to back boundaries from Woakes.
At tea, Pakistan were 161-5 with England needing five wickets to level the series.
Moments after tea, Sarfraz tickled a ball from Woakes to Bairstow and was gone for 7. Sarfraz reviewed it but the decision was upheld.
Asad Shafiq followed into the pavilion after another review, initially given not out to an LBW shout from Anderson. The decision was reversed on review from England.
There then followed a review for a run-out as Wahab and Yasir took on Woakes. Yasir was adjudged to have grounded his bat just in time. Further run-out drama followed with Broad striking down the stumps but again not out.Yasir was then trapped LBW by Moeen for 10 and England were now two wickets from victory.
Wahab followed next for 11 with a top-edge from Root to Cook. The fat lady was almost singing now.The final wicket came at 234 when Amir, after batting rather well, holed out with a drive to Broad from Woakes and was out for 29.
England had won by 330 runs and the series is now squared at 1-1 with two Test matches to play.
