ENG vs PAK: 2nd Test – Talking points from rain-curtailed opening day

The weather forecast for the second Test between England and Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton was not promising. The day lived up to the forecast as we witnessed only 45.4 overs being bowled. Pakistan opting to bat first, faced a collpase in later stages after beginning solidly. They finished the opening day on 125/5 with Babar Azam (25 not out) being the only specialist unbeaten batsman. There were a few events to note even on the rain-curtailed day.

Masood’s Anderson problem

Pakistani opener Shan Masood had played a glorious knock in the first innings at Old Trafford overcoming his past failures in England against James Anderson. However, the world-class bowler needed little incentive to dominate the batsman. The world’s leading wicket-taker amongst pacers trapped Masood LBW with a perfect inswinger to the left-hander. This was the Masood’s seventh dismissal against Anderson in five Tests.

YES JIMMY! ?

Live Scorecard & Clips: https://t.co/yjhVDqBbVN#ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/f9jpsmJhl8

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 13, 2020

England slip in slips

With Ben Stokes unavailable, England had to restructure their slip cordon. It posed a problem on its own as catches went begging. Opener Abid Ali was dropped twice within the first 14 overs. The first attempt was shelled by Dom Sibley off Stuart Broad in the fourth over and later Rory Burns put down a catch off Chris Woakes’ bowling in the 14th over. Surviving these chances, Pakistan reached the lunch break at 62/1.

Alam’s ephemeral return

Pakistan made one change to their playing XI from the first Test, dropped Shabad Khan to select Fawad Alam. English pacers ran through the Pakistani middle order to reduce them to 117/4 from being 78/1 at one stage. This brought Alam to the crease. The left-hander was representing his team in a Test match after 11 years and missing 88 Tests for his country. His return lasted for four balls only as Woakes found him stuck in front of the stumps. Azam along with Mohamad Rizwan saw off the rest of the day as rain forced premature finish to the day.

Three wickets in that hour after tea! ?

Scorecard/Videos: https://t.co/yjhVDqBbVN#ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/4WGNqueFgw

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 13, 2020