LONDON (AP) – England was battling to avoid an innings defeat to Pakistan after losing both opening batsmen early on day three of the first test at Lord’s on Saturday.
At lunch, England was 37-2 in its second innings – trailing by 142 runs.
Alastair Cook – top-scorer in the first innings with 70 – was trapped lbw by seamer Mohammad Abbas for 1. Just before lunch, left-hander Mark Stoneman (9) rocked back to a delivery from legspinner Shadab Khan, only for the ball to keep low and spin into the stumps.
England’s Alastair Cook walks off the pitch after being given out lbw to the bowling of Pakistan’s Mohammad Abbas during the third day of play of the first test cricket match between England and Pakistan at Lord’s cricket ground in London, Saturday, May 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
It was another failure for Stoneman, who struggled for form going into the test and has now scored just 13 runs in two innings.
England captain Joe Root was looking settled on 22, with Dawid Malan alongside him on 0, but this was another session dominated by Pakistan’s young and inexperienced team which is heading for an impressive win at the home of cricket.
Earlier, Pakistan added 13 runs before being bowled out for 363, establishing a first-innings lead of 179.
Mohammed Abbas was the last man dismissed, when he gloved a delivery from Mark Wood to wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow for 5. Mohammad Amir was left stranded on 24 not out.
Babar Azam was unable to bat Saturday after being forced to retire hurt on 68 after tea on Friday, having been struck on the forearm by a delivery from Ben Stokes.
Checks revealed a fracture and he was ruled out of the remainder of this test and for the second and final test in Leeds.
Pakistan’s Mohammad Abbas celebrates after taking the wicket of England’s Alastair Cook lbw during the third day of play of the first test cricket match between England and Pakistan at Lord’s cricket ground in London, Saturday, May 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Pakistan’s Mohammad Abbas avoids a ball bowled by England’s Mark Wood during the third day of play of the first test cricket match between England and Pakistan at Lord’s cricket ground in London, Saturday, May 26, 2018. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
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