Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI (December 19, 2022): Teenage leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed became the youngest debutant to take five wickets in an innings and set England on course for a victory after three days of play in the third and final Test in Karachi on Monday. Ahmed, who at 18 years 126 days old on Saturday became the youngest ever to play a Test for England, grabbed five for 48 to bundle Pakistan out for 216, giving his team a target of 167 runs with 75 minutes and two days to play. Openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett plundered 87 by the 12th over before spinner Abrar Ahmed dismissed Crawley for 41 and Rehan Ahmed for 10. Duckett was unbeaten on 50 and skipper Ben Stokes 10 as England, 112 for two at close, need just 55 runs to inflict a first-ever whitewash on Pakistan on home ground. England, on Pakistan's first Test tour in 17 years, won the first Test in Rawalpindi by 74 runs and the second in Multan by 26 runs. Pakistan fell prey to a spin-assisted National Bank Cricket Arena pitch, losing their last seven wickets for a mere 52 runs with skipper Babar Azam scoring 54 and Saud Shakeel 53. Rehan Ahmed said the feeling was great. "I don't think it has sunk in yet, but yes I am very grateful," he said, admitting Azam's scalp was special. "I bowled better balls and not get wickets so to get a wicket is a wicket and it is nice, especially when it is Babar." Rehan Ahmed built on fellow spinner Jack Leach's three wickets off just six balls in the morning session by taking his first three off just 17. He left Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins behind who, at 18 years 193 days old, took five wickets in his debut Test against South Africa at Johannesburg in 2011. Surprisingly, he had not bowled in the first session, which saw Pakistan reach 99 for three. Ahmed came on after Babar and Saud had put on a valiant rebuilding effort through a fourth wicket stand of 110 runs. The pair took Pakistan to 164 before the skipper made an uncharacteristic misjudgement, soon after he reached 1,000 Test runs for the year. Leach had Pakistan reeling after he knocked over openers Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique and veteran Azhar Ali, appearing in his last match, with only one run added. Ahmed oversaw an equally brutal passage of play, removing Babar (54), Mohammad Rizwan (7) and Saud in the space of six overs for the addition of a paltry 13 runs. Mohammad Wasim (two) and Salman Agha (21) also fell to Ahmed. Saud admitted Pakistan batters committed mistakes. "We ourselves didn't want this situation to come," said Saud. "We committed mistakes especially Babar and I played loose shots and that caused a collapse from which it was tough to overcome." Pakistan started the fourth day on nearly even footing, with openers Abdullah and Shan looking set and erasing England's 50-run lead without the loss of a wicket. But any optimism was snatched away by England's methodical spinners. Leach bowled Shan -- attempting an ill-advised reverse sweep -- for 24, which brought down the first cluster of wickets. Earlier in the day, top-order stalwart Azhar Ali was denied a fairytale ending to his storied career that has spanned 97 Tests and 7,142 runs. Azhar was beaten by spin as he played a forward push on the final ball of Leach's momentum-changing double-wicket maiden. His stumps shattered, Azhar walked off the field for the last time, ending 12 years as a first-team regular. The England players clapped as Azhar trudged back to the dressing room, while Pakistan's players raised their bats at the boundary for a ceremonial guard of honour. Among the handful of spectators were Azhar's wife and three sons.

BIPIN DANI Former India allrounder Manoj Prabhakar, who left the Nepal coaching job after only four months was "asked to resign", it is learnt. According to well-placed sources in Nepal, the 59-year-old Prabhakar was asked to submit his resignation. "The players were not happy with his method of coaching. He was ignoring the senior players. He used to change the settled batting line-up often and was trying to make the batsmen bowlers. In short, we were not happy with this style of coaching and didn't want the CAN (Cricket Association of Nepal) to suffer. It was a bad experience to have him as our coach", one of the sources explained. He had been appointed to the role for a one year tenure in August this year. "We had asked him to resign and his contract was terminated prematurely".  When contacted, Manoj Prabhakar initially refused to talk, but when pressed more, he said, "yes, I have left coaching the team. It was the best decision to resign for the sake of self-respect". He also defended the decision to change the batting order. "The decision to change the batting order was taken in the interest of the team keeping in mind the bowling strategy of the opposite team. And, how can I change the batsman to a bowler? I asked the all-rounders to bowl. During my stint, we won against Kenya and the UAE". Sadly, the CAN's last three coaches (Dav Whatmore, Pubudu Dassanayake and Manoj Prabhakar) have resigned before the expiry of their contracts.  Prabhakar returned to Delhi on December 12. Manoj Prabhakar had brought the new Indian trainer (Abdul Sattar) with him. "Sattar, the former cricketer is a good trainer and we have retained him", the source further added. The CAN is trying to hire the services of a new coach soon. Their team is scheduled to play League-2 matches against Scotland and Namibia in February 2023.

BIPIN DANI Sri Lanka and Lanka Premier League's Dambulla Aura team captain Dasun Shanaka underwent finger injury surgery on Monday, it is learnt. According to the well-placed sources in Colombo, the white ball-captain had injured his right-hand middle finger in early overs while fielding in the match against Kandy Falcons on Sunday night.  The 31-year-old all rounder was taken to the hospital for X-ray and initial reports didn't suggest any major injury and on return to the field Shanaka was keen to bat and desperate to win the match. The team, however, lost the match by 39 runs. "It is an injury to the top of his old fracture, and as a precautionary measure, the player was again taken to Nawaloka Hospital, where surgery under local anesthesia was performed by Dr. Maithri' 'Maiya" Gunasekera'', one of the sources revealed.   "Shanaka has no bone fracture, it's laceration of the middle finger over the distal interphalangeal joint, and an associated callus broken (osteophyte split) of an old fracture between distal and middle phalanx", the source elaborated. Interestingly, the surgeon is a reputed rugby personality and a former rugby captain who also served as Sri Lankan Rugby Football Union. The surgery was overseen by Dambulla team doctor Namal Wijesinghe and the match-day doctor Dhanushka Dewapriya. "Dasun's availability for the remaining LPL matches will be decided by coach (Mickey Arthur) and our physio Lasantha Ekanayake," one of the doctors, speaking exclusively over the telephone, said. "Dasun is also "keen" to travel to India for the forthcoming bilateral series and jopes to be fully fit," the doctor added. The Sri Lankan team will leave for India on 29th December.   Sri Lanka is scheduled to play 3 T-20Is and 3-ODIs on this tour. 

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Harry Brook continued his remarkable series to rebuild England's innings with his third century in as many Tests after Pakistan had the visitors pinned down on the second day of the final match in Karachi on Sunday. England took an improbable 50-run lead on the back of Brook's innings before they were bowled out for 354 and Pakistan cut the deficit to 29 at the close of play. Pakistan's openers Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood were batting on 14 and 3, respectively with the home side ending the day on 21 for no loss. Brook's 111 revived England's chances of becoming the first team ever to clinch a 3-0 series sweep in Pakistan after the visitors were teetering at 145-5. England lead the three-match series 2-0 after a 74-run win in Rawalpindi and a close-fought 26-run victory in Multan. After Pakistan's spinners knocked over the English top-order, Brook and wicketkeeper Ben Foakes amassed 117 for the sixth wicket, and brought England within touching distance of Pakistan's first innings total of 304. Brook has now scored 468 runs -- beating David Gower's 449 in 1984 -- for the highest series total by an England batter in Pakistan. He also equalled Mohammad Yousuf's record of three hundreds in successive matches in an overseas series – in Test matches between England and Pakistan. Yousuf hit three centuries in England in 2006. Pakistan's spinners Noman Ali and Abrar Ahmed had England in a tight spot after the first session. The duo finished with 4-126 and 4-150, respectively. England were struggling at 145-5 soon after lunch after Ben Stokes (26) attempted a third run which Brook turned down only to see his skipper stranded. After Brook fell, Foakes added another 51 alongside Mark Wood for the seventh wicket. Noman then dismissed Foakes and Rehan Ahmed (one) while Ahmed accounted for Wood and Ollie Robinson for 29. In the morning session, Noman removed Ben Duckett and Joe Root off successive deliveries. With the National Bank Cricket Arena pitch offering turn, left-armer Noman trapped Duckett (26) leg before and had the experienced Root caught low in the slip by Salman Ali Agha for nought. Pope stood firm amidst the dual wicket fall, reaching his 11th fifty before he was bowled for 51 by Ahmed, who added to the wicket he took on Saturday.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Spinners Jack Leach and teenager Rehan Ahmed shared six wickets between them as England dismissed Pakistan for 304 on Saturday on the opening day of the third and final Test in Karachi. Leach grabbed four for 140 and Ahmed finished with two for 89 as Pakistan batters spoiled good starts after Babar Azam won the toss and batted on a turning National Bank Cricket Arena pitch. But England also fell prey to spin, with mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed trapping Zak Crawley without scoring before the visitors closed the day on seven for one. Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope were at the crease with four and three, respectively as England trail by 297 runs. Skipper Babar Azam top-scored for Pakistan with 78 before running himself out in the post-tea session, while Salman Ali Agha made 56. But the start of the day belonged to Rehan Ahmed -- who at 18 years and 126 days old became the youngest England player to start a Test -- when he dismissed Saud Shakeel for 23 in his seventh over. Before Ahmed, Brian Close was the youngest England debutant at 18 years and 149 days when he played against New Zealand in 1949. Leach then came into the act, breaking a stubborn eighth wicket stand of 48 between Salman and Nauman Ali (20). Ahmed, who was presented the Test cap by former England skipper Nasser Hussain in front of father Naeem, described the moment as 'great'. "It was probably the best moment," said Ahmed. "It's great to be part of it. I believe in myself and try to do my best when given an opportunity. "They (England players) backed me the whole day and I couldn’t ask for more. To play at such a young age is a blessing. It's the best feeling in my life." Pakistan's head coach Saqlain Mushtaq, also a great spinner in his days, praised Ahmed. "It was a very impressive performance considering it was his first game. He is a young chap and he has a lot of potential and looks a very good prospect for England team." Saqlain thought his team fell short by 60-70 runs. "It's not a bad total, some 60-70 would have been better, but we have to play disciplined cricket to restrict them because I think the pitch will get slower by the day." In the morning session, Pakistan lost Abdullah Shafique (eight), Shan Masood (30) and Azhar Ali (45) before Babar and Saud looked to have steadied the innings with a 45-run fourth wicket stand. But Ahmed had Saud caught off a defensive shot at short-leg before Babar was adjudged run-out by wicketkeeper Ben Foakes after a lengthy review. Babar, who hit nine boundaries, also added 71 for the third wicket with Azhar. Azhar -- playing his last Test -- fell at the stroke of lunch when he gloved a catch to a diving Foakes off pacer Ollie Robinson. Sensing the pitch would take spin, England started the attack with Leach, who trapped Shafique leg-before in the sixth over of the day. Leach becomes the first spinner to share the new ball in the first innings of a Test for England in 101 years -- Jack White did the same against Australia at Leeds in 1921. Shan fell to the trap of short bowling as he pulled fast bowler Mark Wood straight into the hands of deep fine-leg fielder Leach. Shan hit five boundaries while Azhar had six hits to the ropes. Pakistan made four changes from the second-Test line-up, while England made two, bringing in Foakes and Ahmed.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Azhar Ali, Pakistan’s one of the most successful batters, will hang his shoes after the third Test against England, which begins on Saturday at National Stadium Karachi. With 7,097 runs in 96 matches at an average of 42.49, Azhar is Pakistan’s fifth leading Test run-getter behind Younis Khan (10,099), Javed Miandad (8,832), Inzamam-ul-Haq (8,829) and Mohammad Yousuf (7,530). In 2010, Azhar, as a 25-year-old, made his Test debut in England against Australia at Lord’s and scored his maiden Test half-century in only his second match. He would score 34 more half-centuries and went past the 100-run mark on 19 instances. Azhar, 37, is the only Pakistan batter to score a triple-century in a pink-ball Test - a feat that he achieved against the West Indies at Dubai in 2016. That unbeaten 302 remains his highest score in Test cricket. Over the course of his 12-year career, Azhar also made two double-centuries – 226 against Bangladesh in Dhaka (May 2015) and 205 not out against Australia in Melbourne (December 2016) - and has, at least, one century in Australia, Bangladesh, England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, the West Indies and Zimbabwe. Against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014, Azhar scored a century in each innings (109 and 100 not out) to help Pakistan win the second Test by 356 runs and two-Test series 2-0. Azhar captained Pakistan in nine Tests in two separate tenures from 2016 till 2020. Azhar retired from One-Day Internationals in 2018 – a year after helping Pakistan win the ICC Champions Trophy 2017. In that tournament, Azhar had scores of 50 (v India), 9 (v South Africa), 34 (v Sri Lanka), 76 (v England in semi-final) and 59 (v India in final). Azhar Ali said: “It has been a great honour and privilege for me to represent my country at the highest level. Deciding on when to call it a day is always tough, but, after contemplating deeply, I realised that this is the right time for me to retire from Test cricket. “There are many people who I am grateful to in this strenuous, yet beautiful journey. I want to make a special mention of my family without whose sacrifices; I would not have been where I am today. My parents, wife, siblings, and children have been my strength throughout. “I have been blessed to share dressing room with some of the most outstanding cricketers with whom I share a strong bond. I feel much richer by calling these people my friends. I am also blessed to have played under some wonderful coaches to whom I will always remain grateful. “I retire from international cricket as a fulfilled cricketer who ticked most of the goals he had set for himself. Not many cricketers go on to lead their countries, and that I was able to captain Pakistan is a matter of great pride for me. From being a kid who started as a leg-spinner to becoming a mainstay in the Test batting line-up, I had the loveliest moments of my life that I will cherish forever.” PCB Chairman Ramiz Raja said: “Azhar Ali has been one of the most committed and loyal servants of Pakistan cricket. His grit and determination have been an inspiration for many young cricketers and he is a role model for up and coming cricketers. “While it is sad that Pakistan will not have a player of his experience in the dressing room to draw upon, it only reflects the circle of life. I hope to see Azhar continuing to play a role in the development of Pakistan cricket and sharing his vast knowledge and experience with budding cricketers.”

Sports Bulletin Report MULTAN (December 12, 2022): Mark Wood led England to a 26-run win inside four days in the second Test against Pakistan on Monday at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Pakistan, in pursuit of a challenging victory target of 355, were bowled out for 328 within an hour after lunch on day four to send England into the third match with an unassailable 2-0 lead in its first Test tour of Pakistan in 17 years. England won the first Test by 74 runs at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi. Wood grabbed 4-65 including prized scalp of left-hander Saud Shakeel (94) who missed on his maiden Test hundred before lunch. Saud’s patient, third successive half century in just over five hours nearly pulled off Pakistan’s highest-ever successful chase in a home Test after the hosts resumed on the fourth day on 198-4, needing a further 157. Saud shared 80-run stand with Mohammad Nawaz (45) before Wood struck in his first over with the second new ball. He first had Nawaz caught down the leg side off a short ball and then ended Saud’s defiance with another short ball in the same area. Wicket-keeper Ollie Pope took a low catch down the leg side after Wood got Shakeel tangled. The third umpire, Joel Wilson of the West Indies, ruled in the bowler’s favor after viewing several replays, after on-field umpire Aleem Dar referred the decision with a soft signal of out. Resuming the fourth day with an overnight score of 198 for four with still 157 required, Pakistan lost Faheem Ashraf (10) in the day’s sixth over when Joe Root had the lefthander caught at slip as Stokes chose to deploy spinners from one end. Saud and Nawaz stifled England for nearly 22 overs before Wood struck twice in quick succession to raise England’s hope of clinching the three-match series late in the first session. Fast bowler Ollie Robinson thrice went past Nawaz’s bat, but the left-hander showed aggression against Root and left-arm spinner Jack Leach with some crisp boundaries before Stokes turned to the pace of Wood and gained two crucial wickets. Abrar made a brisk 17 that featured three extravagant boundaries against Wood in one over after lunch before England seamers Robinson (2-23) and James Anderson (2-44) wrapped up the tail to seal England win. Scores in brief: England 281 all out, 51.4 overs (Ben Duckett 63, Ollie Pope 60, Mark Wood 36 not out, Will Jacks 31, Ben Stokes 20; Abrar Ahmed 7-114, Zahid Mehmood 3-63) and 275 all out, 64.5 overs (Harry Brook 108, Ben Duckett 79, Ben Stokes 41, Joe Root 21; Abrar Ahmed 4-120, Zahid Mehmood 3-52) Pakistan 202 all out, 62.5 overs (Babar Azam 75, Saud Shakeel 63, Faheem Ashraf 22; Jack Leach 4-98, Joe Root 2-23, Mark Wood 2-40) and 328 all out, 102.1 overs (Saud Shakeel 94, Imam-ul-Haq 60, Abdullah Shafique 45, Mohammad Nawaz 45, Mohamad Rizwan 30; Mark Wood 4-65, James Anderson 2-44)

Sports Bulletin Report MULTAN (December 11, 2022): Pakistan will have to score further 157 runs to win the Multan Test and to level the series 1-1, as they have six wickets in hands at Multan Cricket Stadium. Pakistan were 198 for 4 al the end of day-3 game. The tourists who are already 1-0 up in the three-match Test series, will look to win Test match tomorrow at the Multan Cricket Stadium and take an unassailable lead. Meanwhile, the hosts will be eager to go all out to win this Test match and go into the Karachi Test with series levelled 1-1. Pakistan lost the key wicket of half centurion Imam-ul-Haq late on the third day to give England hope in the second Test on Sunday. England, which held a 79-run first innings lead, had set up a target of 355 runs after it was bowled out for 275 in its second innings today. England had defeated Pakistan by 74 runs in the first Test at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, which was also England’s first test in Pakistan for 17 years. The left-handed pair of Imam, who made 60, and Saud Shakeel (54 not out) had shared a 108-run stand and attacked the bowlers before Imam played a lose drive against Jack Leach and was caught in the slip late in the last session. England had earlier missed an opportunity to dismiss Imam soon after he completed his half-century. Television replays showed a tiny spike on Imam’s bat when he tried to glance Mark Wood down the legside delivery and was well caught by Ollie Pope. However, captain Ben Stokes didn’t go for the referral. James Anderson, OIlie Robinson and Wood showed great display of seam and swing bowling in the middle session, claiming three wickets for 17 runs before Imam and Shakeel dug in and took Pakistan to 136-3 at tea. Imam didn’t open the innings after feeling discomfort in his right hamstring and went to hospital for MRI scans, but batted confidently at No. 5 though Will Jacks had a chance to end his innings but couldn’t hold onto a sharp return. Harry Brook also couldn’t grab a low one-handed catch at forward short leg when Shakeel was batting on just four. Earlier in the day, Brook had hit his second successive century and made 108 off 149 balls before England were bowled out for 275. In the absence of Imam, Abdullah Shafique (45) and Mohammad Rizwan (30) batted fluently and provided a confident start of 66 before England’s seamers started to pressure the home team after lunch. Anderson dismissed Rizwan immediately after the break off a ball that left the right-hander just enough to knock back his off stump. Babar Azam (1) offered no shot to Robinson’s sharp incoming delivery and was also clean bowled. Wood switched ends and went through the defenses of Abdullah with a sharp fast delivery as Pakistan slumped to 83 for three. Mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed prospered again and ended up with match figures of 11 for 234, becoming only the second Pakistani after Mohammad Zahid to take 10 wickets on a Test debut. Fast bowler Zahid took 11-130 against New Zealand at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in 1996. Resuming their second innings at the overnight score of 202 for five, with 281 runs ahead, Stokes (41) stretched the sixth wicket stand with Brook to 101 runs as England scored at a brisk pace before losing five wickets for just 19 runs. Brook, 74 overnight, raised his second hundred with a pulled boundary from left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz before Stokes fell to a brilliant running catch by Mohammad Ali at deep mid-wicket. Abrar, who took seven for 114 in the first innings, claimed his fourth second-innings wicket by having Robinson clean bowled off a googly before leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood (3-52) took the last two wickets in one over shortly after England’s lead crossed the 350-run mark. Brook, who hit 14 fours and a six, was caught in the outfield when he swept Mahmood to deep square leg and Anderson was trapped leg before wicket. Scores in brief: England 281 all out, 51.4 overs (Ben Duckett 63, Ollie Pope 60, Mark Wood 36 not out, Will Jacks 31, Ben Stokes 20; Abrar Ahmed 7-114, Zahid Mehmood 3-63) and 275 all out, 64.5 overs (Harry Brook 108, Ben Duckett 79, Ben Stokes 41, Joe Root 21; Abrar Ahmed 4-120, Zahid Mehmood 3-52) Pakistan 202 all out, 62.5 overs (Babar Azam 75, Saud Shakeel 63, Faheem Ashraf 22; Jack Leach 4-98, Joe Root 2-23, Mark Wood 2-40) and 198-4, 64 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 60, Saud Shakeel 54 not out, Abdullah Shafique 45, Mohamad Rizwan 30)

BIPIN DANI Dr. Krishantha Samaranayake deserves all credit for bringing smile on all rounder Chamika Karunaratne's face. The player took Player of the Match in his last IPL match on Saturday. He looked normal as he got all his four teeth implanted earlier this week. The 26-year- old Chamika Karunaratne sustained an injury and lost four teeth while fielding in a game between Kandy and Galle  in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) at Hambantota. Speaking exclusively over the telephone from Galle, the surgeon who was celebrating his 54th birthday on Saturday, said, "Chamika had a deep laceration on lower lip. Lip had been degloved from bone. It was repaired successfully. Two teeth had totally come out of the mouth. Another two teeth just hanged by oral mucosa. All 4 teeth retransplanted and splinted. Could get the normal position of teeth".  The consultant surgeon in Oral and Maxillofacial surgery did this surgery at Asiriya Hospital in Galle. This has been the first international cricketer being treated by him. However, as a medical student, he had witnessed former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin's teeth treatment in Kandy. Azhar had teeth injury in Kandy some 25 years ago. Unlike India's former cricketer Anil Kumble, who came to bowl with bandage on his face for the similar injury, Chamika will not need any such dressing on his jaw. "Chamika had no external injury. There was no damage to his skin", doctor added.

Sports Bulletin Report MULTAN: England finished Day two of the Multan Test with a lead of 281 runs as Pakistan took five English wickets in the second innings. It was yet another day of Abrar Ahmed entering the record books as he picked up his maiden ten-wicket haul in Test Cricket. Earlier in the first session Pakistan lost eight wickets while notching the total of 202 runs. Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel resumed Pakistan’s innings on the second day with the overnight score of 107 for the loss of two wickets. Saud soon raced to his second Test fifty off 66 balls. Ollie Robinson who did not get to bowl in the evening session on the opening day finally had the ball in hand as he struck on his second ball of the day. He bagged the prized scalp of Babar by getting through his defence. The partnership between Babar and Saud lasted for 91 runs off 126 balls as Babar departed for 75 runs. Mohammad Rizwan joined Saud on the crease as the scoring rate slowed down. Rizwan took 29 balls to get off the mark as he played a cracking drive through covers against Mark Wood. Saud survived an LBW scare as England challenged a Marais Erasmus decision but couldn’t get the decision overturned. Rizwan and Saud’s partnership-building effort soon came to a halt as Saud holed a Jack Leach ball to mid-on where he was taken by James Anderson. Leach also reached the milestone of 100 Test wickets with this scalp as well. Pakistan started losing wickets in a flurry as Rizwan went back to a perfectly pitched Leach ball that turned just enough to crash into his stumps. Leach just didn’t stop there, he came back again in his next over to remove Mohammad Nawaz who was caught at mid-off by Robinson. Joe Root was introduced to the bowling attack as Pakistan were losing track of their batting innings and he too chipped in to bag two scalps. Salman Ali Agha lobbed an easy catch to Ben Stokes at short mid-on while Mohammad Ali was dismissed for a four-ball duck. Faheem Ashraf tried forging a partnership with the tail-enders Zahid Mehmood and Abrar Ahmed. With Zahid, he managed to score 10 off 20 balls but Zahid did not disturb the scorers in his eight-ball stay on the wicket. Abrar and Faheem Ashraf added 23 vital runs off 40 balls before being caught on the deep backward square leg boundary. English openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett walked into bat in the second session of the day with a lead of 79 runs. Abrar did not take long enough to get his name back on the scorecard as he ran Crawley out with a direct hit as he ran in from mid-on. Will Jacks was promoted up the order, but his stay at the wicket was short. He immediately made an impact in his first over yet again as Jacks tried an ill-fated heave over midwicket only to have his furniture disturbed. England had a lead of 104 when Root joined Ben Duckett in the middle and put on a substantial third-wicket partnership of 54 runs from 80 balls. As has been the story of Pakistan’s bowling so far, Abrar struck again to remove well-set Root (21) courtesy a brilliant grab by Abdullah Shafique at short leg. As other bowlers failed to find breakthroughs, Abrar made sure English wickets keep on falling at regular intervals but Duckett and Harry Brook stalled the fall of wickets with a partnership of 68 runs from 90 balls. It was again Abrar who deceived Duckett with a ball that stayed low and went onto hit his stumps. Duckett fell 21 runs short and departed for 79 runs off 98 balls, becoming Abrar’s 10th scalp in the game. Abrar, with that wicket, became only the second Pakistani and 18th overall debutant to pick a ten-wicket haul in his first Test. The last wicket to fall in the second day’s play was of Ollie Pope who lost his wicket via a run out. With less than an hour to go in the day, Stokes joined Brook in the middle and forged an unbeaten partnership of 47 runs from 68 balls. As the teams walked back to the pavilion England had a lead of 281 runs with Brook and Stokes in middle batting at 74 and 16, respectively.