Pakistan 97-2 at lunch as Yasir gets through first hour
 

LONDON: Pakistan were 97 for two in reply to England´s first innings 328, a deficit of 231 runs, at lunch on the second day of the fourth Test at The Oval on Friday.

Azhar Ali was 36 **t out and Asad Shafiq 24 **t out, with Pakistan bidding to level the four-match ****** at 2-2.

Pakistan resumed on three for one following the loss of opener Sami Aslam late on Thursday after England´s middle-order, led by Moeen Ali´s 108, had bailed the side out from their latest top-order collapse that saw them slump to 74 for four and 110 for five after captain Alastair Cook had won the toss.

Azhar, promoted to open after his century during England´s 141-run win in the third Test at Edgbaston, and nightwatchman Yasir Shah were both **ught **t out.

But having done his nightwatchman duty by getting through the first hour, Shah fell for 26 when he nicked fast bowler Steven Finn to second slip, where Joe Root held a juggling catch that ended a stand of 49 and left Pakistan 52 for two.

Shafiq, promoted up the order despite a pair at Edgbaston, avoided a third straight **ught by getting off the mark with a cover-driven four off Finn.

Poor close catching had mainly been a Pakistan problem this ****** but Woakes was again denied a wicket when a diving Anderson at third slip dropped Shafiq on seven.

Azhar, on 35, was then given a reprieve when he pushed a drive back at Finn only for the 6ft 7in bowler to drop the low chance despite getting both hands to the ball, with Pakistan then 91 for two.

With blue and sunny skies, allied to a good pitch, offering some of the best batting conditions of the ******, it was a miss England could ill afford.

Flags above The Oval pavilion flew at half-mast in ho**ur of legendary Pakistan batsman Hanif Mohammad, who died aged 81 on Thursday.



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