Pakistan vs England: 2nd Test, Day 3 - Wahab Riaz and Yasir Shah dismantle England line-up
Starting the third day of the second Test at 182/3, England would have hoped to put up a big total on the board before letting Pakistan bat again. But Wahab Riaz and Yasir Shah had other plans for the visitors, as they picked up six quick wickets together to get England all out for just 242 after adding only 60 runs in the morning.
Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow who continued batting on day 3, could not continue their partnership as Root fell after just 8 runs to his total. Bairstow, on the other hand, put up a stiff challenge against the Pakistani bowlers, but even he couldn’t help England as wickets fell at the other end.
Yasir and Wahab were the reason for England’s downfall as they chipped at the English batting line-up with ease. Each of them picked up four wickets and destroyed all the chances of England trying to get back into the game. Except for Stuart Broad who scored 15 runs, the middle and lower order crumbled with a combined score of a paltry 9 runs.
Wahab and Yasir Test England
Root was the first to fall at 206, after which wickets fell at regular intervals with four wickets falling in the span of 11 runs. Wahab with his pace and Yasir with his craft all but just bowled England out of the match.
Pakistan started their second innings with a lead of 136 runs. They lost two early wickets in the form of Shan Masood and Shoaib Malik with just 16 on the board. Despite the early breakthrough, they lifted by the spirited performances by Mohammad Hafeez who scored a half century before getting out.
Captain Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan continued their form from the first innings with a 130 run partnership to give extra boost to Pakistan’s lead. Misbah is not out on 87 heading towards a second century in as many innings and Younis is also well set with a score of 71.
At the end of days play Pakistan were well placed with the score at 222/3. Pakistan will start day 4 with 358 runs lead and will look to win this before going into the third and final Test.รข??
Brief scores:
England: 242 (Joe Root 88, Jonny Bairstow 46; Wahab Riaz 66/4, Yasir Shah 93/4)
Pakistan: 222/3 (Misbah 87, Younis 71; Mark Wood 22/2)