England failed to win only one Test series at home in the last three years and that was against Pakistan in 2015. After two disappointing campaigns in Australia and New Zealand, the men led by Joe Root were surely looking to make a good start while hosting Pakistan this time. However, the Pakistan bowling attack didn’t let England meet their expectations.

England ace batsman Alastair Cook surpassed Allan Border to reach the highest number of consecutive Tests for a national side as England took on Pakistan. Cook now has now played 153 consecutive Tests, including the first Test of a two-match series against Pakistan, on Thursday (May 24).

Cook did have a tough job on the first day of the Test at Lord’s as Hasan Ali and Mohammad Abbas crushed England’s batting line-up by bagging 4 wickets each.

England were bundled out for 187 runs, 70 of which came from the left-hander’s bat. But all of his efforts went in vain, as only three other batsmen were able to enter a double-digit. He had to return to the pavilion on 70 runs as Mohammad Amir bowled him out on 70 runs.

Abbas spoiled the party for Ben Stokes –who is playing a Test after sixteen months – by dismissing him for 38 runs. Jos Buttler also didn’t have a pleasant “second debut” and got out by Hasan Ali for 14 runs. Jonny Bairstow scored 27 runs before Faheem Ashraf sent him back to the hut. However, England did get some crucial runs from the middle-order after a string of disappointing performances from each of Mark Stoneman, Dawid Malan, and the skipper himself and another unsuccessful display in the end.

In reply, Stuart Broad gave England a breakthrough by trapping Imam Ul Haq lbw. Earlier this month, the 22-year-old had played a heroic innings in his debut Test against Ireland in his inaugural Test, but managed to score only four runs Against England.

Azhar Ali and Haris Sohail have restored Pakistan’s innings and helped the team finish the day without losing further wickets by remaining not out on their scores of 18 and 21 runs, respectively.

Pakistan have dominated the first day, thanks to their bowling unit. Now, they will be looking to piling on the pressure for England by stitching some good partnerships on day-2.

 

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