MULTAN, Pakistan (Reuters) -Opener Ben Duckett smashed a rapid unbeaten fifty to lead England’s robust reply to Pakistan’s first-innings 366 on day two of the second test in Multan on Wednesday.
The touring side were 88 for one at tea with Duckett unbeaten on 53 and Ollie Pope on five.
Duckett combined in a breezy 73-run opening stand with Zak Crawley, who led a charmed life before he fell for 27.
Crawley survived a run-out after a mix-up with Duckett only because bowler Sajid Khan had broken the stumps before he could collect the ball.
Sajid appeared to have redeemed himself in the next over when his lbw appeal against Crawley was upheld.
Pakistan’s joy was short-lived, however, as Crawley, convinced by Duckett, reviewed the decision, which was reversed after replays confirmed the ball would have narrowly missed the stumps.
Crawley could not make the most of the reprieves, though, and fell to Noman Ali.
After the caught-behind appeal against Crawley had been turned down, left-arm spinner Noman cajoled his captain Shan Masood to review the decision and replays confirmed an edge.
Earlier, Pakistan’s lower order chipped in with useful runs after they resumed on 259-5.
Seamer Brydon Carse (3-50) dismissed Mohammad Rizwan for 41 but Salman Agha (31), Aamer Jamal (37) and Pakistan’s number 10 Noman (32) produced defiant cameos to take the hosts past the 350-mark.
Jamal, the lone seamer in Pakistan’s spin-heavy attack, suffered a hip injury while batting and has been used sparingly.
England comprehensively won the opening test, also in Multan, to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
(Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; editing by Peter Rutherford and Ed Osmond)
Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content.