LONDON – Pakistani bowlers dismissed England for 184 runs in the first innings of the first Test against England at Lord’s on Thursday.
Opener Alastair Cook, appearing in a record-equalling 153rd consecutive Test appearance, was the only batsman to make a half-century, with a well-made innings of 70.
Mohammad Abbas and the Hasan Ali took four wickets apiece.
England, who were 165 for five at tea, lost their last five wickets for just 16 runs in 27 balls after the interval.
This is the first of a two-Test series.
The tourists struck early with pacer Mohammad Abbas picking up the wicket of Mark Stoneman while Hasan Ali picked up the second wicket of the innings when he dismissed Joe Root. The third wicket also fell to Hasan when David Malan was caught behind for six runs.
Earlier, England captain Joe Root won the toss and decided to bat against Pakistan.
The match is started at 3pm (PST),10am (local and 10am GMT). PTV Sports and Ten Sports are telecasting live action for Pakistan & UAE citizens. The fixture will also be broadcast on Sony SIX and Sony SIX HD in English commentary. They are the official broadcasters of the series.
Similarly, Pakistan vs England 1st Test’s live streaming will be available on SonyLiv.com. You can also catch live scores, live updates on dailypakistan.com.pk
According to the local met office, it may possible that rain will disrupt the first day of the match.
Sarfraz Ahmad, while talking to newsmen ahead of Lord’s Test, said he is satisfied with the team’s preparations and Green Shirts can turn the tide anytime, against anyone, anywhere.
The captain added, English team may be favorite under home conditions but he has confidence in his young team and is confident of his skills too.
Teams line up for the first #ENGvPAK Test at @HomeOfCricket
For Live Updates: https://t.co/KRymfjMcNa pic.twitter.com/PEEUrvufXx— PCB Official (@TheRealPCB) May 24, 2018
He said it was important Pakistan treated the match like any other and did not play the likes of England stalwarts Alastair Cook, Stuart Broad and James Anderson on their reputations.
“The worse will be that we lose this match, but this is a young team, seven of our players will be playing at Lord’s for the first time so that in itself an honour.
Pakistan have won four Tests at Lord’s. Their win/loss ratio (1.00) at @HomeOfCricket is second best for any visiting team after Australia (2.14). #EngvPak pic.twitter.com/Ujc24dkUcz
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) May 24, 2018
Sarfraz, a key member of the Pakistan side that drew 2-2 in a four-Test series in England two years ago, accepted the hosts would be tough to beat on their own soil.
But he also said there was an opportunity for Pakistan given England failed to win any of their seven most recent Tests, in Australia and New Zealand.
Pakistan, seventh in the Test rankings, come into this game on the back of a five-wicket win over Test debutants in Ireland, where the conditions were similar to those they could face at Lord´s if confronted with a typical early-season English pitch offering seam movement and some overcast skies.
Squads
Pakistan – Azhar Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Haris Sohail, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed (captain/wicketkeeper), Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali
Umpires: Rod Tucker (AUS), Paul Reiffel (AUS)
TV umpire: Bruce Oxenford (AUS)
Match referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL).
