Draw confirmed in the second Test match- England vs Pakistan, Test 2, Day 5
Rain and bad light delayed the start of play of the final day of the second Test. Play eventually got underway at twenty past three in the afternoon.
The England pair of Crawley and Sibley came to the crease with England on 7-1. Crawley began to score quickly and play well against the dangerous and skilful Pakistan bowling attack. The young English batsman scored quickly and fluently batting, making a case for a place in the England team past this series.
Crawley continued to build his innings and soon reached his half century. It was a brilliant innings from the young batsman on his return to the side. Unfortunately, he did not go on to make a bigger score that his play deserved. He fell lbw to the bowling of Abbas for 53.
Two overs and one run later, England lost their second wicket of the day when Sibley was caught behind off the bowling of Abbas for 32. Sibley played well for 32, it was a familiar story for the Warwickshire batsman he made a start but failed to go on and make a score.
Root and Pope momentarily stabilised the England innings until Pope was dismissed lbw for 9 after Yasir struck the Surrey’s batsman’s pads.
England didn’t lose another wicket in the day and when the umpires called an end to the days play, the host finished 110-4. Play finished and unsurprisingly ended in a draw.
England still lead the series 1-0 after the result of the second Test. England have to avoid defeat to claim the series win.
Review
This Test match that saw very little action and was hampered dramatically by the poor weather that circled Southampton.
This is a Test match which tells you little about the state of the two teams. The only story coming out of either dressing room is that Rizwan for Pakistan and Crawley for England have found their form in the series.
Rizwan played a superb innings to take Pakistan past two hundred in their sole innings. He attacked the England bowling attack on his way to a fluent 72.
Whereas, Crawley who returned to the side in the absence of Stokes scored a brilliant half century is closing stages of Test. His half century has batted himself into form and sets him up nicely for the final Test of the series which begins of Friday.
Pakistan must win the final Test of the series if they are to draw the series, whereas England only need to avoid defeat in the final Test at Southampton to win their second series of the summer.
