London: Yasir Shah became the first leg-spinner in 20 years to take a five-wicket haul in a Test innings at Lord’s to leave Pakistan well-placed at stumps on Friday’s second day of their series opener with England.
At the close, England were 253 for seven in reply to Pakistan’s first innings 339 — a deficit of 86 runs, with Chris Woakes 31 not out.
Shah, in his first Test since serving a three-month drugs ban — and his first outside of Asia and the United Arab Emirates — ran through England’s middle-order on the way to five for 64 in 25 overs.
It was the first time any leg-spinner had taken five or more wickets in a Test innings at Lord’s since his compatriot Mushtaq Ahmed’s five for 57 in 1996.
Earlier, England captain Alastair Cook made 81 and in the process surpassed India great Sunil Gavaskar as the highest run-scoring opening batsman in Test history. But, in sight of a century, he became Mohammad Amir’s first Test wicket in six years when the left-arm quick, who twice had Cook dropped, got him to play on.
Amir, was making his return to Test cricket at Lord’s — the scene of his 2010 spot-fixing crime which saw him given a five-year ban and a jail term for deliberately bowling no balls.
Amir should have had Cook out for 22 when an excellent delivery took the outside edge only for first slip Mohammad Hafeez to drop the routine catch.
It was a similar story when left-hander Cook, now on 55, again edged Amir but wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed floored the seemingly simple two-handed chance.
Amir screamed in frustration before sharing a wry smile with captain Misbah-ul-Haq, who gave the 24-year-old paceman a consoling pat on the back.
Cook, belying his reputation as a steady run-maker, struck three fours in four balls as Rahat Ali strayed onto the left-hander’s pads.
But Shah turned the tide when he had Root carelessly hole out off a miscued sweep on 48. (AFP)
