RAWALPINDI: The first test match between England and Pakistan has entered into decisive stage as England have declared their innings at tea at 264 runs for the loss of 7 wickets, setting a target of 343 runs for Pakistan. Pakistan now have four sessions to achieve the target.
England batter Joe Root stunned the cricket world on Sunday when he took strike and batted left-handed during the first Test against Pakistan. He made the most of the batter-friendly conditions in Rawalpindi when he faced up left-handed to Zahid Mahmood for the first two deliveries of the Pakistan spinner’s sixth over. He scored 73 runs in 69 balls.
Brook smacked Pakistan bowlers to all parts of the ground and scored 87 runs in 65 balls.
Opener Zak Crawley scored 50 runs in 48 balls and set the tone for the second innings.
Opener Ben Duckett — one of four century makers in England´s mammoth 657-run first innings — was caught at slip off the second ball of pacer Naseem Shah for a golden duck.
Fellow centurion Ollie Pope cracked two boundaries before hooking fast bowler Mohammad Ali into the hands of Naseem, scoring 15.
Naseem Shah, Zahid Mahmood and Mohammad Ali claimed two wickets each for Pakistan in the second innings.
Earlier in the day, Will Jacks grabbed 6-161 to help England dismiss Pakistan for 579 and give his side a 78-run first-innings lead.
