Pakistan mounted a spirited reply to England’s mammoth first innings total of 657 on Friday as the opening Test turned into a veritable run-fest on a lifeless track in Rawalpindi.
After nearly five sessions in the field, Pakistan displayed their stomach for a fight to finish Day II on 181 for no loss, still 476 runs behind, in what has become a batting contest with more than 800 runs scored across the two days.
After four English batters smashed hundreds on Thursday, Imam-ul Haq (90) and Abdullah Shafique (89) were closing in on their centuries when bad light stopped play.
Earlier resuming on 506/4, England went on to post their highest total against Pakistan.
Skipper Ben Stokes nonchalantly stepped out to smash the second ball of the day over Naseem Shah’s head for a six en route to an 18-ball 41.
Naseem (3/140) had his revenge four balls later when he clean bowled the England captain. Liam Livingstone fell for nine in his debut Test but overnight batsman Harry Brook (153) was simply unstoppable. The 23-year-old, who smashed six fours in a Saud Shakeel over on Thursday, once again embodied England’s highly entertaining brand of cricket milking 27 runs from a Zahid Mahmood over.
Leg spinner Zahid bled 235 runs — most by any Test debutant — in 33 overs for his four wickets.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja did not hide his “disappointment” with the pitch.
“It is embarrassing for us, especially when you have a cricketer as chairman,” the former Pakistan captain told reporters during the lunch break. “This is not a good advert for cricket.”
Brief scores: England 657 (Harry Brook 153). Pak 181/0 (Abdullah Shafique 89, Imam-ul Haq 90).
