England 297 all out on Day 1 after Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl.

By Abdullah Ansari (3rd August, 2016)

Toss: Pakistan won the toss, Misbah-ul-Haq chose to bowl first.

Teams

Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali.

England: AN Cook (c), AD Hales, JE Root, JM Vince, GS Ballance, JM Bairstow (wk), MM Ali, CR Woakes, SCJ Broad, ST Finn, JM Anderson.

Pakistan began the third Test on a good note, as Misbah-ul-Haq called correctly and opted to bowl first in a surprise move. Alastair Cook said he would have batted first anyway. Pakistan made two changes, as Shan Masood and Wahab Riaz took up spots on the bench, being replaced by Sami Aslam and Sohail Khan. England brought in Steven Finn for the injured Ben Stokes.

England started well, getting through the first 9 over unscathed. But Sohail Khan settled into a good rhythm on a good line outside the off-stump, getting some good away movement. He finally got Alex Hales, caught behind. Joe Root succumbed to the returning pacer as well, aiming for a back-foot push and getting caught at slip; a huge moment for Pakistan. Alastair Cook batted well, and aggressively for his 45, before he was given LBW off Rahat Ali.

James Vince and Gary Ballance got together for a good partnership as the two aimed to strengthen their spots in the team through good performances. Vince attempted to leave the wide deliveries alone, but finally fell after making 39, once again to Sohail Khan. Jonny Bairstow came out in an aggressive manner, but that resulted in his downfall as he edged a short of a length ball behind from Sohail after making 12.

Moeen Ali and Ballance got together for another strong partnership with both showcasing discipline, while putting the bad balls away. Gary Ballance made an impressive 70, before he was out to Yasir Shah, caught down the legside. Rahat Ali broke the next partnership with an excellent, rising delivery to get rid of Chris Woakes. Broad and Moeen frustrated Pakistan, until Broad fell to the first delivery with the second new ball for 13; Mohammad Amir getting his first wicket of the day. Moeen was the next to fall, also to Mohammad Amir as Sarfraz got his 5th catch of the day behind the stumps, the left-hander out for an impressive 63. Sohail Khan completed his five-fer, as he got Jimmy Anderson LBW; England all out for 297.

Summary: Pakistan will be pleased with their efforts on Day 1. Sohail Khan performed very well on his comeback to the Test team after a five-year gap, ably supported by the other bowlers. A few late order partnerships may have boosted England's score beyond what Pakistan were hoping for, but a score of under 300 on Day 1 will see Pakistan fairly satisfied. The batsmen will have to put up a very good show in response against the strong England attack, with Pakistan having to bat 4th in the match.

Fall of wickets:

1-36 (Hales, 9.3 ov)
2-48 (Root, 11.5 ov)
3-75 (Cook, 18.2 ov)
4-144 (Vince, 36.5 ov)
5-158 (Bairstow, 40.2 ov)
6-224 (Ballance, 67.2 ov)
7-244 (Woakes, 72.3 ov)
8-276 (Broad, 80.2 ov)
9-278 (Ali, 82.1 ov)
10-296 (Anderson, 80.6 ov)

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