Bad light halts England as Pakistan dig in

Just 40.2 overs were possible on day two of the second Test as the tourists, via Mohammad Rizwan's half-century, played possum before putting on some lower order runs

The Ageas Bowl: (second day of five): Pakistan 223-9, England

Scorecard

England and Pakistan were both left frustrated after rain and bad light ensured just 40.2 overs were possible on day two of the second Test at The Ageas Bowl.

The tourists reached an early close on 223 for 9, with Mohammad Rizwan unbeaten on a handy 60.

James Anderson and Stuart Broad took three wickets apiece but a change of tact with Pakistan at their mercy allowed them to put on some handy lower-order runs.

In the end, the overhead conditions played havoc with play as after a delayed start both teams were hauled from the field on two occasions either side of tea despite the floodlights being on.

Umpires Richard Kettleborough and Michael Gough took a light reading on the first evening, and that level will remain in place for the rest of the match.

Pakistan did well to quell England in the opening hour of play after morning rain meant the first ball was not bowled until 12:30 pm.

But after the resumption - lunch was taken for 40 minutes just an hour later - England stormed back into the ascendancy with an old ball which continued to operate well under lights.

ENGLAND V PAKISTAN TALKING POINTS

Babar Azam (47) missed out on his fifty as he edged Broad behind and the free-swinging Yasir Shah (5) did the same off Anderson.

And when Shaheen Afridi (0) was needlessly run-out by Dom Sibley, England could seemingly look forward to making inroads with the bat.

But as Rizwan looked increasingly comfortable, and Mohammas Abbas fended off his opening deliveries, England relinquished the pressure.

Root deployed men on the boundary and bowlers went short, offering Pakistan a platform from which to build. Rizwan reached his second Test half-century and put on a handy 39 for the eighth-wicket with the dogged Abbas.

When England returned to pitching the ball up they got their rewards as Abbas was trapped lbw, but they were unable to complete the job before players were taken from the field.

An early tea was called but only nine balls were possible upon the teams re-emerging. After much posturing, play was called off just 25 minutes before the scheduled close to leave both sides considering if a result is possible, with weather conditions to match these expected for the remainder of the Test.

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