Pakistan dig in with second innings resistance

The fourth began with Pakistan’s opener coming to the crease to begin their second innings after they were forced to follow on by England.

Unlike their first innings, the visitors got off to a good start and England squandered the opportunities that the new ball provides. Pakistan did not score quickly, nor did they attack the England bowling attack, but they defended well and dug in.  

Pakistan’s opening batsmen Shan Masood and Abid Ali left the ball well and were not forced into playing shots. England got their tactics wrong and failed to place the visitors under any pressure, making it easy for the batsmen. 

England’s fielding woes once again reared their ugly head as Buttler dropped a catch off the bowling of Anderson. For the first time in his career Anderson had four catches dropped off of his bowling in one match. This was not what England needed to claim victory in the final Test of the series. 

 Pakistan got another stroke of luck after poor weather called a halt to the days play. The covers were brought on and a welcomed delay for Pakistan. A long delay in the days play meant that Pakistan had less time in the middle and England lost substantial time in their pursuit of Pakistan’s wickets.

England eventually got the breakthrough that they desperately needed. Shan Masood was struck on the pads by the bowling of Broad. Masood appealed the decision but to no avail. England claimed their wicket 23.4 overs into the Pakistan innings.  

This wicket for England however brought in the first innings centurion Azhar Ali to the crease. He continued in the same fashion as he did on day three when he achieved his 141* not out. Ali, the Pakistan captain was once again the frontline of Pakistan’s resistance. 

 The pair continued to frustrate England’s bowling attack; England captain turned to the spin of Dom Bess hoping that he would make inroads into the Pakistan batting line-up. But this plan like every other plan England proved fruitless.

 England soon got their second wicket of the day, Abid Ali fell to the bowling of Anderson. Ali was out lbw for 42. His innings was a much needed for Pakistan, he got his side off to a good start but more importantly batted a long time and soaked up a lot of time at the crease. 

 This wicket for Anderson took his Test wicket total to 599. Anderson will have to wait until the final day to see if he can reach this landmark in this series as play was soon stopped and stumps was declared after bad light and rain stopped play. 

England will have to bowl much better than they did today if they are to take the remaining wickets to win this Test match and win the series 2-0.

As for the visitors, the game plan is simple, they have to bat out the day. If they do so then they will draw the Test match which the given the situation through both England’s and Pakistan’s first innings was looking unlikely. Pakistan may be helped massively by the weather. The forecast for tomorrow is not good for England. Rain is scheduled with severe amounts of play expected to be lost.