England declare with lead of 342 in 2nd Test against Pakistan
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

MANCHESTER (UK): Umar Gul gave Pakistan a foothold in the second Test against England here Friday but the hosts remained on top.

At tea on the second day at Old Trafford, England were 357 for seven, 238 runs ahead, with Ian Bell 40 not out after Alastair Cook had made a Test-best 127.
It was Cook’s second successive century after his 105 in the drawn series opener at Lord’s and his third in only his seventh Test.

But he was one of several Gul victims, the pace bowler working hard for interval figures of three for 77 in 23 overs

To the last ball before tea, fast bowler Sajid Mahmood was caught and bowled by Abdul Razzaq for 12 after he got a leading edge to a pull shot.

Bell, who in common with Paul Collingwood, Cook and England stand-in captain Andrew Strauss had made a century at Lord’s, had faced just 53 balls with five well-struck fours.

Pakistan, who had taken just one wicket in the first session when Kevin Pietersen fell for his overnight 38, took the new ball in the 87th over in a bid to make further inroads with England then 286 for three.

Their decision was vindicated six balls later when Collingwood pulled Gul straight to Mohammad Sami at square leg.

The Durham all-rounder’s 48 featured two sixes and three fours and together with Cook he put on 119 for the fourth wicket.

Soon afterwards, with England on 304 for five, Cook was lbw to the hard-working Gul.

Veteran West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor took his time over the decision, with replays suggesting the ball would have clipped the left-handed Cook’s off-stump.

Essex’s Cook batted for more than five-and-a-half hours, facing 260 balls with 18 fours having resumed Friday on 65 not out.

Under-pressure wicket-keeper Geraint Jones then hooked Sami for six.
But a ball later he was hit on the ring finger of his right hand and next ball Jones, who later had to have ice treatment, was lbw after he tried to pull a full length Sami delivery and missed.

England were now 321 for six, with Bell their last remaining recognised batsman.

They resumed Friday on 168 for two after fast bowler Stephen Harmison, with a devastating spell of six for 19, and left-arm spinner Monty Panesar (three for 21) helped dismiss Pakistan for just 119 on Thursday.●