England face defeat against Pakistan as Amir strikes | Sunday Observer

England face defeat against Pakistan as Amir strikes

27 May, 2018

LONDON AFP: Mohammad Amir 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 on 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 this two-Test series.

And after Amir had struck twice in quick succession to remove Dawid Malan and Jonny Bairstow, Mohammad Abbas 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. 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.

Malan, who saw a piece of his helmet fly off after turning away from a Hasan Ali bouncer, struggled while making 12 off 50 balls.

The left-hander was undone on his Middlesex home ground 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 that would not have carried to first slip. 

Scores

England first innings 184 (A Cook 70; Mohammad Abbas 4-23, Hasan Ali 4-51)

Pakistan first innings 363 (Azhar Ali 50, Asad Shafiq 59, Babar Azam 68, Shadab Khan 52, Ben Stokes 3-73)

England second innings 111 for 6 at tea 

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