Pakistan struggle after England take 42-run lead

DUBAI: Pakistan lost their openers within 30 minutes after bowling out England for 141 runs in the first innings here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Taufiq Umar went for six after having a duck in the first innings while Mohammad Hafeez made 21 after scoring 13 in the first innings.

At lunch, Pakistan were struggling at 30 for two with Azhar Ali and Younis Khan batting on one run each.

Earlier, England resumed their first innings at 104-6 with a slender lead of five runs but they could add only 37 runs and lost the remaining four wickets to Pakistan spinners Abdul Rehman and Saeed Ajmal.

Both spinners took two wickets each today as left-arm spinner Abdul Rehman finished at five wickets for 40 runs, his second five-wicket haul in his 15th Test and Saeed Ajmal at three for 59. Fast-medium bowler Umar Gul claimed two wickets.

Captain Andrew Strauss top scored with 56 followed by Kevin Pietersen (32) while only two other batsmen – Graemw Swann (16) and Evoin Morgan (10) – could get into double figures.

Pakistan were bowled out for a low score of 99 in their first innings by England pacemen Stuart Broad (4-36) and James Anderson (3-35) but Pakistan spinners did not allow England to take a big lead.

Pakistan leading the three-match series 2-0 and were looking for a clean sweep against England.