SPORTS REPORT
KARACHI: England cricket team was bowled out for 354 runs as centurion Harry Brook and Ben Foakes played a great knock to help England gain a crucial lead of 29 runs in the first innings before the close of the second day’s play here at National Bank Cricket Arena on Sunday.
Brook smashed his second hundred in consecutive innings to help England close in Pakistan’s first innings total of 304 and stitched a valiant 117-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Ben Foakes to elevate the batting side after they were stuck at 145 for the loss of five wickets.
Wicket-keeper Foakes contributed 64 from 121 balls, while tailenders Mark Wood and Ollie Robinson chipped in with 35 and 29, respectively.
Pak vs Eng: Pakistani spinners’ domination
For Pakistan, spinners dominated the bowling cards as Abrar Ahmed and Nauman Ali bagged four wickets each, while Mohammad Wasim took one wicket.
After finding three crucial wickets in the morning session, Pakistan went through a submissive second session, with Ben Stokes’ chaotic run-out proving to be the lone cherishing moment for the team.
Stokes and Brook ended up on the same end of the wicket following a miscommunication for the third run.
Earlier, Ollie Pope starred with an impressive half-century in a spin-dominated first session that helped Pakistan keep England under control.
Pak vs Eng: Nauman Ali wickets
Nauman Ali struck back-to-back wickets, dismissing Ben Duckett and veteran Joe Root on consecutive deliveries to jitter England’s top order and aided Pakistan in containing England on 140/4 before Lunch.
At 58 for three, overnight batter Pope and Harry Brook braced England for a while before Abrar Ahmed provided a breakthrough to Pakistan and dismissed Pope soon after he made his fifty.
With Brook continuing his superb form – he already scored two centuries in the series – as he remains unbeaten at 38 will aim to take England on top along with captain Ben Stokes who stands at 25 not out.
England, who are already 2-0 up in the series, were petrified by the mystery spinner Abrar when he removed Zak Crawley on the stroke of day close after Pakistan was bowled out for 304 in the first innings.
Skipper Babar Azam and Salman Agha notched-up fifties while retiring Azhar Ali managed 45 on the opening day of the Karachi Test when England spinners were on the charge.
Jack Leach and debutant Rehan Ahmed shared six wickets, with a wicket to part-time Joe Root’s credit.
