Watch: Joe Root shines ball on Jack Leach’s head

The ongoing Test series opener between England and Pakistan at the Rawalpindi Stadium has proven to be a tough nut to crack for the bowlers as the batters have made merry on one of the flattest surfaces in the country that has a negligible amount of assistance for the bowlers. In hopes of unearthing some support from the ball, former England skipper, Joe Root used Jack Leach’s head to shine the ball, making for a hilarious viewing.

The incident took place after the completion of the 72nd over of the Pakistani innings when Joe Root called over Jack Leach to rub the ball on his sweaty bald head in an attempt to shine the ball. Root used the peculiar method since the use of saliva has been banned by the MCC earlier this year. Veteran English pacer James Anderson stood by his former skipper and watched the bewildering incident unfold right under his eyes.

Batters continue to dominate on a docile Rawalpindi surface

Coming to the match, it has been tough going for the English bowlers as the batters have dominated the proceedings for a third consecutive day in the match. Pakistani openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq registered their respective tons in the second innings as all four openers breached the three-figure mark in their respective first innings for the first time ever in Test cricket. It is also the first time that both teams compiled a 200-run opening stand in their first innings of a Test match.

While Jack Leach was seen contributing to his team’s chances with a rather innocuous part of his body, the veteran spinner has been England’s most potent bowler on a docile surface, scalping two wickets so far. Pakistani skipper Babar Azam holds the key for the home side as they look to get close to England’s mammoth first-innings score.