Leeds Test: Pakistan slump to 68-4 at lunch on day 1

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Pakistan were 68-4 at lunch on day 1 during the second Test match at Leeds with the visitors struggling to get a foothold in the match. 

Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes were amongst the wickets for England, picking up a couple each. English bowlers dominated the entire session, taking advantage of the new ball and Pakistan's frailities with the bat.

Imamul Haq was dismissed for a duck while Azhar Ali could only muster couple of runs. Asad Shafiq, 27, and Haris Sohail, 28, were not able to kick on after getting starts.

Earlier Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed has won the toss and has decided to bat first against England.

England and Pakistan will face off in the second and final Test match of the series in Leeds with the visitors eyeing a rare series win against The Three Lions.

Pakistan won the first Test in comprehensive fashion by nine wickets at Lord’s. The Men in Green outperformed England in all departments to set up yet another memorable win at the ‘Home of Cricket.’

Due to the unfortunate injury to Babar Azam, Usman Salahuddin will be making his Test debut for Pakistan. Pakistan also had the option of replacing Azam with Fakhar Zaman, but Sarfraz Ahmed and the team management thought that Salahuddin was the better option.

England on the other hand, have preferred Keaton Jennings over Mark Stoneman for this Test match after the latter’s poor run of form. Jennings has an average of 24.50 in his six Test matches so far and his last Test outing came against South Africa in August 2017.

The home side will be without Ben Stokes—who failed to pass the fitness Test before the match—and will be replaced Surrey all-rounder Sam Curran, who will be making his debut. Also Chris Woakes has been picked to play instead of Mark Wood.

England’s experienced opener Alastair Cook will make his 154th consecutive appearance for England in Test cricket; going beyond the record set by Allan Border for Australia (153).

Pakistan will be determined to put up a good show once again in order to ensure that their long wait for a series win in England — first one since 1996 — is over.

Meanwhile, England have got their pride at stake as they look to avoid the embarrassment of losing at home.

Linueps

Pakistan: Azhar Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, H Sohail, A Shafiq, S Ahmed, U Salahuddin, S Khan, F Ashraf, M Amir, H Ali and M Abbas

England: A Cook, K Jennings, J Root, D Malan, J Bairstow, J Buttler, C Woakes, S Curran, D Bess, S Broad and J Anderson