Pakistan are nearing an innings defeat against England on Day 3 of the first Test at Headingley in Leeds. Pakistan started their second innings on Friday trailing England by 238 runs after the first innings. However, their innings got off to the worst possible start as Imam-ul-Haq, who scored 42 in the first innings, was dismissed for a duck in the second over by Jofra Archer. Imam’s dismissal extended Pakistan’s wait for a half-century opening partnership in Tests on English soil to 27 innings.
Their last opening partnership of 50 or more came in 2010, when Salman Butt and Imran Farhat added 56 against Australia at Headingley.
Pakistan were 59-3 in their second innings at lunch on the third day, still 179 runs shy of making England bat again, after fast bowler Archer removed openers Imam-ul-Haq and Azan Awais.
For the second time in the match, Pakistan were 0-1 Friday when Archer dismissed Imam for a duck as the left-hander, trying to evade a short delivery, could only glove the ball to wicket-keeper Jamie Smith.
Awais, out for a golden duck in the first innings, had made nine when he clipped Archer, who had made a quickfire 23 not out earlier Friday, straight to England captain Joe Root at the rarely used position of leg slip.
It was something of a tactical coup for Root, starting his second spell as full-time Test captain on his Yorkshire home ground.
Pakistan were now 13-2, with Archer on his way to lunch figures of 2-27 in five overs as England eyed what would be just their third win in 11 Tests.
Abdullah Shafique had been Pakistan’s shining light with 61 in their meagre first-innings 171.
But he could only manage 15 before he edged a full-length ball from Ollie Robinson, fresh from his five-wicket haul in the first innings, to Harry Brook at second slip.
Shan Masood held firm to reach 28 not out at lunch, with Saud Shakeel unbeaten on five.
(With AFP Inputs)
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