Pakistan Rally After England Enjoy Early Success

Pakistan Rally After England Enjoy Early Success

Monty Panesar (foreground) appeals successfully for the wicket of Misbah-ul-Haq

©REUTERS / Action Images

Pakistan 257 & 125-4 (Panesar 3-44) v
England 327 (Cook 94, Trott 74)
Second Test, Abu Dhabi, day three
Scorecard | Day One | Day Two

England pulled out a first-innings lead of 70 on Pakistan and then reduced them to 125 for four at stumps on day three of the second Test in Abu Dhabi.

That put Pakistan 55 runs ahead after Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq rebuilt the innings effectively to take them out of danger at 54 for four.

Stuart Broad scored 58 not out to be the main driving force behind England's batting while Monty Panesar took three for 44 to put Pakistan under severe pressure.

They responded with Azhar hitting an unbeaten 46 and Shafiq not out on 35.

Broad hit six fours and one six in 62 balls, counter-attacking after Matthew Prior (3) and Ian Bell (29) had been trapped in front by Saeed Ajmal and Umar Gul respectively.

Graeme Swann (15) and James Anderson (13) offered support as they put England ahead before the innings was wrapped up - Abdur Rehman trapping Swann in front, Mohammad Hafeez getting rid of Panesar in the same way Anderson bowled by Hafeez as he tried to cut.

Hafeez (22) and Taufeeq Umar (7) made a solid start before England's turn to spin reaped dividends.

Panesar struck to trap Hafeez in front before Swann bowled Taufeeq who played for turn to one that skidded on.

Left-armer Panesar then delivered a superb delivery to beat Younus Khan (1) and clip his off stump and he was leaping for joy once more when Misbah-ul-Haq was trapped in front for 12.

Azhar, who faced 140 balls, and Shafiq, who faced 105, then dug in to frustrate England for the rest of the day.

Pakistan lead the series 1-0 after a ten-wicket win in the opening game in Dubai but could only manage 257 in their first innings as Broad took four wickets.

© Cricket World 2012