London: Mohammad Amir (2/25) took two wickets in three balls as Pakistan closed in on an innings victory inside three days in the first Test against England at Lord’s here, Saturday.
England were 111 for six in their second innings at tea on the third day, still needing a further 68 runs to make Pakistan bat again in the first of the two-Test series.
And after Amir had struck twice in quick succession to remove Dawid Malan (12) and Jonny Bairstow (0), fellow pacer Mohammad Abbas (2/25) captured the prize wicket of Joe Root, the England captain lbw for 68.
Overall, England – on a sunny day and in the best batting conditions of the entire match – had lost four wickets for 19 runs after lunch.
Their latest top-order collapse left England facing their sixth defeat in eight Tests after they failed to record a win at this level on tour in Australia and New Zealand.
Left-hander Malan was undone after being drawn into playing at a good length Amir ball he edged behind, with diving wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed, the Pakistan captain, holding an excellent low one-handed catch. Two balls later, Jonny Bairstow fell for a duck when left-arm quick Amir produced a superb delivery that cut back in to clip the top of off stump.
England were now 91 for four and badly needed a batsman to support Root. But instead Ben Stokes (nine) carelessly turned teenage leg-spinner Shadab Khan off his pads to mid-wicket, where Fakhar Zaman – on as substitute for Babar Azam – held a good catch.
Then Root failed to negotiate a cutback from Abbas and was caught plumb in front.
Pakistan in their first innings had scored 363. Babar, who top-scored with 68 before retiring hurt Friday having been hit by a Stokes delivery, was unable to bat again after scans confirmed he had suffered a broken forearm which will rule him out of next week’s second Test at Headingley.
Brief scores: England 184 & (at tea) 111/6 (Joe Root 68; Mohammad Amir 2/29, Mohammad Abbas 2/25); Pakistan 363. Match to continue.
