Broad leads England fightback against Pakistan

Three England bowlers were rewarded for their labours with two wickets each as they tried to limit the damage done by faulty batting yesterday.

The upshot, by stumps, was nonetheless a Pakistan total of 288 for seven and a deficit of 96 and counting for Andrew Strauss’ world number one team.

If day one of this three-match series had featured an unscripted helter-skelter collapse, as off-spinner Saeed Ajmal spooked England with his disguise and variations, round two delivered the attritional cricket so universally predicted here.

Mohammad Hafeez (88) and Taufeeq Umar (58) laid the foundation for more Pakistan gains on this fair pitch - and Misbah-ul-Haq (52) extended the advantage - while England toiled manfully but missed a clutch of half-chances which might have brought the contest back into the balance.

Stuart Broad revived their hopes fleetingly, and two late wickets did likewise.

But for the most part, England had to reap what they had sown with their brittle batting 24 hours earlier.

For the full report and reaction read Thursday’s Yorkshire Post.