Zaid Hassan, a seasoned sports journalist, led Cricket Pakistan as editor for four years, shaping its coverage with insightful analysis. Now a producer at Nukta, he expands into broader storytelling while remaining a key voice in Pakistan’s sports media.
England's Jordan Cox made 72 from 100 balls, while skipper Joe Root scored 66 off 112 deliveries.
AFP
Pakistan’s Ali Usman produced a career-defining performance on a rain-affected second day of the first Test against England, claiming his maiden Test five-wicket haul at Headingley on Friday.
England reached 366-8 from 82 overs at stumps after resuming on 112-2, stretching their first-innings lead to 195 runs after Pakistan were bowled out for 171 on day one.
Ali was Pakistan’s standout performer, finishing with 5-92 from 23 overs. He became the first Pakistan left-arm spinner and only the sixth spinner from the country to claim a five-wicket haul in a Test in England.
The spinner saved his best for the final session, bowling 14 overs unchanged and taking four wickets. His spell prevented England from running away with the game and left Pakistan with two wickets still to claim.
How did England build their commanding lead?
Rain and a wet outfield delayed the start of play, with lunch eventually taken without a ball being bowled. Once play resumed, Jordan Cox and Joe Root took control, adding 150 runs in 19 overs.
Cox made 72 from 100 balls, while Root scored 66 off 112 deliveries. Cox survived a chance when Khurram Shahzad dropped him in his follow-through before Ali eventually induced an outside edge that was safely taken by Mohammad Rizwan.
Khurram then removed Root lbw, with the decision surviving England’s review.
What happened to Harry Brook’s century?
Harry Brook came agonisingly close to a home Test hundred but fell for 91.
After Salman Ali Agha missed an edge at second slip, Brook and Dan Lawrence put England firmly in command, adding 120 runs from 151 balls.
Ali broke the partnership by forcing Lawrence to top-edge a catch to Rizwan for 51. Five overs later, he bowled Brook to deny the England captain his 11th Test century.
How did Ali Usman complete his five-for?
Ali struck twice in the 80th over to complete his five-wicket haul. He trapped Gus Atkinson lbw before clean-bowling Ollie Robinson, reaching his maiden Test five-for and 13th in first-class cricket.
Jamie Smith and Jofra Archer survived the remaining 13 deliveries, leaving England 366-8 at the close.
With Pakistan trailing by 195 runs and England holding two wickets, the visitors face a difficult task on day three. However, Ali’s late burst has kept Pakistan in the contest and given them a chance to limit England’s first-innings advantage.
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