England took three wickets in the final session before rain stopped play, reducing Pakistan to 126/5 at stumps on the rain-curtailed opening day of the second Test in Southampton on Thursday. Pakistan's top-scorer Abid Ali (60 runs) was the first one to depart after the tea break with Asad Shafiq and Fawad Alam following him in quick succession. While Shafiq scored five runs, Fawad Alam, who was playing his first Test match in 11 years, departed without troubling the scorers. Stuart Broad, Sam Curran and Chris Woakes accounted for the three dismissals in the final session that derailed Pakistan's innings. Overall, James Anderson was the pick of the English bowlers, picking up first two wickets. Earlier in the day, Azhar Ali won the toss and opted to bat but Pakistan got off to a poor start as they lost opener Shan Masood cheaply. England fast bowlers bowled probing line and lengths causing the visitors a lot of trouble. However, Abid Ali and Azhar Ali somehow managed to keep England bowlers at bay, helping Pakistan reach 65/1 at lunch. James Anderson got rid of Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali after lunch, who toiled hard for his 20 runs.
Highlights of England Vs Pakistan 2nd Test Day 1, straight from The Rose Bowl Stadium, Southampton
- 21:20 (IST)Chris Woakes traps Fawad Alam right in front!Fawad Alam's long wait for a Test comeback didn't last long as he was trapped right in front of the wicket by Chris Woakes and departed without troubling the scorers. The on-field umpires's decision was overturned by the TV umpire after replay suggested three reds.
- 17:20 (IST)Covers are on! Lunch has been taken!10 minutes from lunch and it started drizzling and the umpires have signalled the ground staff to bring in the covers. The umpires have decided to take an early lunch and Pakistan must be the happier of the two sides as they did well to see off the morning session losing just one wicket.
- 16:06 (IST)