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09/11 07:38 CDT Pakistan trails England by 136 runs in third cricket test after
Masood and Awais hit half centuries
Pakistan trails England by 136 runs in third cricket test after Masood and
Awais hit half centuries
BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) --- Pakistan had its most productive batting session
of the tour of England but still trailed by 136 runs on Day 3 of the third and
final cricket test Friday.
The left-handed pair of Shan Masood and young opener Azan Awais put the
off-field chaos behind and struck half centuries as Pakistan progressed to
184-3 at lunch, losing the sole wicket of Awais for a well composed 59 off 84
balls that featured 10 fours.
Masood had two lucky escapes against Josh Tongue before he reached his half
century and was unbeaten on 83, while captain Babar Azam started off
confidently to reach 26 with five boundaries at the break.
Masood and Awais soaked up the pressure of Ollie Robinson (2-22) and Jofra
Archer (0-47) after Pakistan resumed on 52-2 on another gloomy day at Edgbaston
with 268 runs still needed to avoid an innings defeat.
England made a strong 453 after Pakistan got bundled out for 133 in two
sessions on Day 1 and then Robinson claimed two wickets before Pakistan had
scored its first run in the second innings.
That brought Masood and Awais together and the left-handed pair grew in
confidence against Gus Atkinson and an erring Tongue, who was punished for
boundaries whenever there was width on offer. Tongue, who has given away 60
runs in his nine overs, was unlucky not to have Masood twice before the former
Pakistan captain completed his half century off 81 balls.
Masood edged Tongue to the vacant third slip just a ball after Ben Duckett was
removed from the same fielding position and then substitute Theo Wylie dropped
a regulation catch at point as the ball burst through his hands to the boundary.
The introduction of Lawrence broke Pakistan's best partnership of the series
when Awais feathered a leg side catch to Jordan Cox behind the wickets which
ended 125 runs with Masood.
Captain Joe Root was quick to signal the review from the leg slip after Awais
was adjudged not out by the onfield umpire and TV replays suggested a spike
before Cox grabbed a good reflex catch.
But Babar and Masood continued to score at a brisk pace and the pair added 59
runs in less than an hour as Pakistan closed in on its first score of 200-plus
in the series.
England has already sealed the three-match series with two big victories at
Leeds and Lord's before Pakistan pushed the panic button and summoned back
seven players and replaced head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed with white-ball coach Mike
Hesson and also brought in Ashley Noffke as bowling coach in place of Umar Gul.
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See AP's full cricket coverage here
