England vs Pakistan 2020, 1st Test, Day 2: Report - Shan Masood, Bowlers Leave The Hosts Under The Pump

Pakistan massively elevated their chances of beginning their Test tour of England, leaving the hosts under extreme pressure in Manchester. Opening batsman Shan Masood’s vigil continued from where he left off after which their reputed fast bowling attack tear through England’s top-order. Shan Masood was the second-last wicket to fall, perishing for a brilliant and a record-breaking 156.

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On 69 not out after launching a counterattack on the opening day, Babar Azam perished to James Anderson in the first over without adding any further runs. Asad Shafiq and keeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan departed for single-figure scores as the tourists looked like they would suffer a collapse. However, Shadab Khan supported the defiant Masood and showed his intent after lunch.

While Masood and Shadab took many risky singles, it was working for them as the English fielders remained under pressure. Shadab Khan kept punishing the bad balls from all English bowlers as Masood also displayed his aggressiveness more often. Even after the new-ball, the four-pronged pace attack of England could not make the breakthrough. Five overs later, with a couple of runs, Masood brought his fourth Test hundred off 251 balls that broke several records.

After 11 overs, Dom Bess finally got the reward for his hard work, plucking Shadab Khan’s wicket for 45, breaking the century partnership. With their sixth wicket gone for 281 runs, Pakistan ran the risk of finishing below 300 as Jofra Archer snapped consecutive wickets. An over later, Masood carted Bess for 16 runs and departed an over after tea. The final pair of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah added nine runs more to finish at 326.

Pakistan bowlers make regular inroads:

After delivering the third ball to Rory Burns on the pads that went for a boundary, Shaheen Afridi brought it in that the southpaw missed. Azhar Ali called for a review that gave Pakistan their breakthrough in the first over. Afridi kept threatening Joe Root, but he challenged and survived after opting for the DRS. Mohammad Abbas joined the party trapping Dom Sibley with a sharp nip-backer that the batsman unsuccessfully challenged.

Abbas trounced Pakistan further as he clipped Ben Stokes top of off-stump as the southpaw stood two steps out of the crease. Afridi and Abbas operated in tandem as Root brought his first run off the 22nd delivery only. As the English captain kept dead batting deliveries, Pope kept the scoreboard ticking through some frequent boundaries.

Leggie Yasir Shah found sharp turn from his first over and in his third, he snapped Root, who looked to cut but edged to Rizwan behind the stumps. Naseem Shah and Pope had a mouthwatering battle, but Pope remained victorious for the most part and the most fluent of English batsmen. Pope, who remained unbeaten at 46, cut the deficit down to 234 runs with only six wickets remaining ahead of a crucial third day.

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