ENG vs PAK: 2nd Test – Draw imminent after rain plays spoilsport on Day 4

Pakistan

Are you even playing in England if you aren’t fighting bad light and rain throughout a Test match? The Pakistan Test team must be left wondering the same. Persistent showers and a washout on Day 3 meant that the visitors had to wait until Day 4 to complete their first innings in the second Test at Southampton. With only one day’s play left, there’s little doubt about which way this Test is headed.

Pakistan build on Rizwan’s knock

Rizwan-Pakistan

There were vital contributions from the Pakistan top order but it was Mohammad Rizwan’s patient half-century that helped Pakistan rebuild their innings. His fighting 72 came off 139 deliveries but with little help from the tailenders, there wasn’t much he could do. Pakistan managed to add just 13 runs in 5.2 overs before Stuart Broad took the final wicket to complete his four-wicket haul. The visitors were bundled out for 236.

England on toes

In response to Pakistan’s first-innings total, England lost opener Rory Burns on the fourth delivery as he edged one to the slips. With plenty of movement and swing on offer, Pakistan’s new-ball pair was all over the England batsmen. Zak Crawley survived an LBW while Dom Sibley survived a body blow from Mohammad Abbas and a few outside edges here and there. Just when things were getting exciting in the middle, bad light stopped play after five overs, followed by the usual rain game. What started as a drizzle

With no further play possible, stumps were called early to end Day 4, with England on 7/1.

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