ENG v PAK, 1st Test: Babar Azam's Breezy Half Ton Helps Pakistan End Rain-Hit Opening Day At 139-2

Azam was unbeaten on 69 and opener Shan Masood was playing at 46 before bad light led to play being called off early on stop start Day 1 of the 3-match series opener being played at the Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester.

Pakistan ended the rain-truncated opening day of the first Test against England in a commanding position as their batting mainstay Babar Azam stroked his way to a breezy half ton to help the visitors post 139-2 at stumps. Azam was unbeaten on 69 and opener Shan Masood was playing at 46 before bad light led to play being called off early on stop start Day 1 of the 3-match series opener being played at the Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester.

England won the honours in the opening session of the first day after their seam bowlers reduced Pakistan to 53 for 2 at Lunch. After openers Shan Masood and Abid Ali saw off a probing new ball spell by the potent pace duo of James Anderson and Stuart Broad, the visitors were in a spot of bother when Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes took two wickets in quick succession to help the hosts made the inroads before lunch..

While Archer drew first blood by cartwheeling Abid Ali's stumps, seam allrounder Woakes dismissed skipper Azhar Ali for a golden duck after trapping him leg before wickets.

Babar Azam then joined opener Shan Masood at the crease and the duo prevented any further damage by stitching a watchful 68-run third wicket partnership to take Pakistan to 121 for 2 at tea. While Masood was close guarded in his approach getting right behind the moving ball to defend patiently, Azam played some delightful strokes to take on the English bowlers and show a bit of aggressive intent in the visitor's batting approach. Babar hit a flurry of boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking and got to his 50 in just 71 deliveries.

Pakistan had some good fortune going their way as wicket-keeper Jos Buttler missed two chances off the bowling off spinner Dom Bess to dismiss Shan Masood. While Buttler dropped an easy catch, he also missed on a stumping when Masood stepped outside the crease and..Much to his good luck, Buttler could not hold onto the red cherry due to bad bounce.

Just after Babar Azam reached his milestone, only one delivery could be bowled by seamer Jofra Archer in the over after that before the umpires called the players off due to bad light. Rain soon followed and early Tea was called. The post tea session was largely washed out due to rain and only eight overs being bowled.

Brief Scores: Pakistan (1st innings): 139/2 (Babar Azam 69*, Shan Masood 46*) vs England (Woakes 1/14)