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Azhar puts hosts on back foot
BIRMINGHAM: 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
BIRMINGHAM: 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.
Replying to the home team’s 297 all out, Azhar shared a second-wicket partnership of 181 with Sami Aslam on the way to an excellent knock of 139 as England endured a frustrating day in the field.
Aslam was run out for 82 after being called for a quick single by Azhar who was dropped twice before completing his 10th Test century.
England 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.
Anderson induced a rash stroke from Azhar shortly after lunch but Joe Root spilled a difficult catch at second slip and England’s anxiety increased.
Azhar, also dropped by Moeen Ali off his own bowling, drove Steven Finn off the back foot for three to bring up his 21st test half century and Aslam, 20, swept spinner Moeen for four to reach his maiden test fifty in his third match.
Azhar got to three figures by gloving a Stuart Broad bouncer to the fine leg boundary, celebrating the milestone with 10 press-ups.
He continued to punish the England attack, hitting a total of 15 fours and one six, before edging the last ball of the day from Chris Woakes to Alastair Cook at first slip.
Younis Khan was unbeaten on 21 at the close.
The four-match series is level at 1-1.
Pakistan were none for one just four balls into their innings on Thursday when Hafeez fell for a duck after lazily guiding a short James Anderson delivery to Gary Ballance at point.
The tourists had seen Sohail Khan, one of their two changes from the side beaten by 330 runs in the second Test at Old Trafford as England levelled the four-match series at 1-1, take five wickets on Wednesday.
Now all eyes were on Aslam, also playing just his third Test, after the 20-year-old had been brought in to replace struggling opener Shan Masood.
Left-hander Aslam steered Stuart Broad wide of gully for the first four of Pakistan’s innings in the fifth over. His only prior innings this tour had seen Aslam make just 17 against Worcestershire last week in a two-day warm-up match.
