Pakistan Posts Mammoth 556 as Salman Ali Agha Shines, But Lose Quick Wickets to England
Pakistan lost their two wickets quickly in the third session after piling up a mammoth 556-run total on the board.
Abrar Ahmed (3) was the last wicket to fall, falling prey to part-time bowler Joe Root. Prior to that, Shaheen Shah Afridi, who scored a crucial 26 runs, was bowled by Jack Leach.
Salman Ali Agha remained unbeaten at 104 runs from 119 balls, which featured ten boundaries and three sixes.
Pakistan posted 515-8 on the board at Tea on Day 2, with Salman Ali Agha (79*) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (13*) at the crease.
Pakistan lost the key wickets of Saud Shakeel, who scored a cautious 82 from 177 balls, laced with eight boundaries, and Aamir Jamal (7) but Salman’s strokeplay helped them score 118 runs in the second session.
Shoaib Bashir got the prized scalp of Shakeel after getting hammered for over 100 runs, meanwhile, Brydon Carse got rid of Jamal.
Earlier, Pakistan had scored 397-6 at Lunch on Day 2 with vice-captain Saud Shakeel staying strong at 67 and Salman Ali Agha, who just came out to bat, at 0.
Saud Shakeel started the day with nightwatchman Naseem Shah and 328 runs on the board. Together they added 64 runs for the fifth wicket much to the frustration of the English side.
The Pakistan vice-captain completed his half-century in 96 balls with a boundary off Shoaib Bashir.
Meanwhile, Naseem Shah displayed solid defense while cashing on the bad deliveries, striking three sixes and one four during his 81-ball knock of 33 runs.
Brydon Carse provided the breakthrough with the wicket of Naseem, taking his first wicket in Test cricket.
The in-form Mohammad Rizwan joined Saud on the crease, however, he fell prey to Jack Leach 12 balls later without opening his account.
At the Stumps on Day 1, Pakistan was 328/4 with vice-captain Saud Shakeel (35*) and nightwatchman Naseem Shah (0*) unbeaten in the middle.
