The China Mail - Pakistan hit back against England after Cox and Root fifties

Both Cox (73) and Root (66) hit fifties as they shared a third-wicket partnership of exactly 150 on a rain-marred second day that threatened to leave Pakistan with a mountain to climb.

But they fell in quick succession before England reached tea on 239-4 in reply to Pakistan's meagre first-innings 171, a lead of 68 runs.

Harry Brook was 15 not out and Dan Lawrence, recalled following the international retirement of former captain Ben Stokes, unbeaten on 22, in England's first Test of the post-Bazball era.

Brook, however, should have been out for just one when he carelessly hung his bat outside off stump against Khurram Shahzad in the manner of someone giving catching practice, only for diving Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha to drop the chance at second slip.

Agha, leading the side in place of the injured Babar Azam, then walked off the field with blood dripping from his finger.

After rain washed out the morning session, England resumed well-placed on 112-2 after pacemen Ollie Robinson (5-51) and Josh Tongue (5-46) had shared all 10 Pakistan wickets between them on Wednesday.

Root, at the start of his second stint as full-time England captain, was 37 not out with Cox -- replacing the injured Jacob Bethell at number three -- unbeaten on 23.

Root, on his Yorkshire home ground, was comprehensively beaten by the first ball of the day, an 80 mph (129 kmh) outswinger from Shahzad.

But it was not long before Root, second only to retired India great Sachin Tendulkar in Test cricket's list of all-time leading run-scorers, clipped Mohammad Abbas off his pads for four.

Cox was similarly severe on several leg-stump half-volleys during a Shahzad over costing 17 runs.

The 25-year-old Cox then marked his second Test with a maiden fifty when he turned Abbas past leg slip for his 10th four in 78 balls faced.

That was the end of the over, and just as Robinson and Tongue had reached their five-wicket hauls Wednesday off successive deliveries, the next ball saw Root follow Cox to fifty by whipping Mohammad Ali through the legside for four.

Cox, however, was fortunate on 57 when he miscued an intended pull off Shahzad only for the bowler to drop the return catch.

But spin succeeded where the seamers had failed when Cox fended at a sharply turning delivery from slow left-armer Ali Usman and edged to wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan.

Cox reviewed but the decision stood and 198-3 became 202-4 when Root was lbw four balls later to give the persevering Shahzad his lone wicket of an expensive 15 overs costing 82 runs.

Y.Parker--ThChM