A career-best knock from Shan Masood and some new-ball magic from Mohammad Abbas put Pakistan in a dominant position at stumps on day two of the first Test at Old Trafford.
Ben Stokes’ face was painted with shock when an Abbas gem beat his outside edge and clipped the tip of his off-stump to leave England floundering in the series-opener.
After Masood’s masterful 319-ball 156 fired Pakistan to 326, Stokes’ exit had left his side 3-12 and although they recovered to 4-92 at the close of play, the hosts will need to make up the remainder of the 234-run deficit without their other star batter, Joe Root.
The skipper succumbed to leg-spinner Yasir Shah for just 14.
Abbas (2-24) and Shaheen Shah Afridi had earlier accounted for the England openers, leaving Ollie Pope (46 not out) as England’s lone bright spot from a disastrous final session. Jos Buttler was not out 15.
It was Masood’s third century in as many Test innings (after tons against Sri Lanka in December and Bangladesh in February) and the fourth of his 21-Test career.
