Somerset staring down the barrel at end of day two
Taunton – July 4, 2016: Another day that belonged in its entirety to Pakistan, with Younis Khan completing his century and the tourists three-pronged pace attack spectacularly led by Mohammad Amir devastating Somerset with Yasir Shah chipping in with a brace of wickets to skittle the hosts out for a paltry 128 in a mere 34 overs.
Though heavily overcast with strong breeze blowing across the quaint county ground surrounded by hills on three sides and a river flowing at the back, the day’s play still began on the dot at eleven. Having batted his way to one shy of a first-class hundred the previous evening, Younis Khan duly completed his century but, with mandatory declaration at 100 overs looming, he eventually fell to Davey for 104.
At the end of their allotted 100 overs, Pakistan had compiled 359-8 – a solid start to the tour.
Somerset went into bat and found strife early, as Amir removed Trescothick and Hose for 8 and 10 respectively with magnificent moving balls at pace. As he opened the proceedings, Amir was welcomed with an applause by the Taunton crowd and were suitably impressed at the awesome skill that he put on display.
Sohail Khan dismissed Rouse and at lunch Somerset were stuttering at 56-3.
After lunch another superb delivery from Mohammad Amir bowled Trego for 23. Wickets continued to fall as Sparrow was bowled by Rahat Ali.
Davey and Hildreth then steadied the ship for Somerset for a spell before a superb catch from Younis Khan at a Rahat Ali delivery removed Davey for 10.
Yasir Shah then made his presence felt and bowled Bess for 4. Leach, Greenwald and van Meekeren fell soon afterwards.
After a strong all-round effort Pakistan bowled out Somerset for 128 with both Mohammad Amir and Sohail Khan taking three wickets with Rahat Ali and Yasir Shah taking two apiece. A high quality attack showed its quality on its first outing in England. This gave Pakistan a first innings lead of 231. Only Hildreth, lucky as he was, offered resistance, remaining unbeaten on 47.
Pakistan decided not to enforce the follow-on, opting to bat again instead.
Mohammad Hafeez struck the first ball of Pakistan’s second innings for six from Josh Davey. He was adjudged caught behind shortly afterwards for 10.
A solid partnership then developed between Shan Masood and Azhar Ali, both putting on 52 runs.
There was a slight wobble on 98 when Misbah ul Haq and Sarfraz Ahmed were removed by Leach.
By the close, Pakistan had rallied to 140-4 with the two batsmen at the crease, Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq, having made 50 and 26.
It had been another good day for the Pakistan tourists and an impressive start to the tour with bat and ball.
