Steady Babar keeps Pakistan in the game
Courtesy of a steady Babar Azam, Pakistan ended the morning session on 155-5, with Mohammad Rizwan keeping Babar company.
Oh English weather, when will thou let us play without looking up at the skies? Without the fear of rain?
The charades of the English summer weather continued on the second day at Southampton as it led to delaying the start of the day's play by almost two hours, after ruining almost half of the first day's play.
Travelling Pakistan won't mind though. They were five-down by the end of day one and they managed to maintain it at lunch. Courtesy of a steady Babar Azam, Pakistan ended the morning session on 155-5, with Mohammad Rizwan keeping Babar company.
The hosts were surely looking to make inroads into the Pakistan batting lineup and wrap them up soon but they failed as their bowlers failed to find their rhythm.
Pakistan, after opting to bat first on day one, lost the previous match's centurion Shan Masood in the third over, falling prey to James Anderson who is closing up on the 600-wicket mark.
Skipper Azhar Ali put up a steady stand with Abid Ali but that too was broken by Anderson as he pinned Azhar LBW. Abid Ali reached his fifty but perished on 60 as Sam Curran, who made his return in place of Jofra Archer, managed to find the right-hander's edge.
Stuart Broad then joined in the action to dismiss Asad Shafiq and that brought Fawad Alam to the crease, making his return to the Pakistan side after 11 years and 88 Tests. But his stay was brief to say the least, as Chris Woakes sent him back for a duck upon return.
Babar stayed unbeaten overnight and continued to show his class on the second day, staying unbeaten on 45 at lunch with Rizwan on 12.
The weather forecasts have predicted rain and it's still gloomy in Southampton. But yet, fingers crossed for some cricket unhinged from rain.
Brief Score
Pakistan: 155-5 (Abid 60, Babar 45*, Azhar 20, Anderson 2-40, Broad 1-33, Curran 1-33)
