Second England, Pakistan Test: Holding pins high hopes on Babar

Former West Indies fast-bowler Michael Holding believes that Pakistan batsmen need to support Babar Azam, on the second day, if they want to post a good first innings score during the ongoing second Test match in Southampton. 

Pakistan opener Abid Ali scored a half-century but England’s seam bowlers used the muggy conditions to their advantage to restrict the tourists to 126 for five at the close of a rain-hit opening day.

Babar Azam (25 not out) and Mohammad Rizwan (4 not out) will resume on the second morning, seeking to rescue the innings in their bid to rebound from a three-wicket loss in the first Test.

“Babar Azam is still there and that is a positive for Pakistan because if someone can hang around with him, there is a chance that they can get a reasonably good score,” said Holding on his official YouTube channel.

“Pakistan will need a good first innings score because we know how important that is,” he added.

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Holding also backed Pakistan’s decision to bat first, after winning the toss, despite the overcast conditions.

“Pakistan should be a little bit disappointed. They won the toss and people would have thought that maybe it’s not the ideal time to bat because the ball would be moving around a bit but the pitch is such that you want to be batting first as much as you possibly can,” he said.