Summary

  • Pakistan close on 107-2, trailing England by 174

  • Pakistan captain Babar brings up fifty off 57 balls

  • Anderson has Imam caught behind for duck; Shafique nicks Leach to Pope

  • Pakistan spinner Abrar takes seven wickets on debut; Zahid claims other three

  • Duckett hits 63 off 49 balls, Pope 60 off 61, Wood 36 not out off 27

  • Use audio icon at top of the page to listen to BBC Test Match Special commentary

  • Get involved - #bbccricket or text 81111 (standard rates apply)

  1. Pak 87-2published at 24 overs

    Good question, Pete. We are not sure - I'm sure the question will be asked at close.

    Just the two singles from Will Jacks' third over.

    Pakistan ticking along nicely.

  2. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:32 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

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    safcpete: Any clues why Robinson hasn’t bowled yet?

  3. Pak 85-2published at 23 overs

    It certainly seems lighter at this stage than it was in Rawalpindi, though you can also start to see some mist creeping in.

    England will be desperate to try and snare one more wicket before close.

  4. 50 runs

    50 for Babar Azampublished at 22.1 overs

    Babar Azam pushes the ball into the leg-side for a single to bring up his half-century from 57 balls.

    The crowd goes wild and Babar raises his bat in appreciation.

    It has been a perfectly paced innings so far.

  5. Postpublished at 11:29 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    The umpires are not consulting about the light. The sun is still reasonably high and we might get play through till 5pm local time.

  6. Pak 83-2published at 22 overs

    Joe Root probes outside Saud Shakeel's off stump, looking to get one to hit those foot marks.

    Nothing doing though. Pakistan are ending this day on top.

  7. 6 runs

    Pak 81-2published at 21 overs

    The roar says it all.

    Babar Azam has seized on a full delivery from Will Jacks and smashed a half-volley over mid-on for six.

    Every over seems to contain a bad ball at the moment and Pakistan are fully cashing in.

  8. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:24 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    I love this new England side. The mentality and aggressive batting is awesome. But we will always struggle in Asia without prioritising the development of a world class wicket-taking spinner. Preferably a wrist spinner. If this new England side is about taking risks then we need to take the risk of letting a world class wrist spinner develop out here and make mistakes.

    Marcus, Surrey

  9. Postpublished at 11:22 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    You can see two areas of rough. Something for the bowlers to aim at. This pitch is bone dry.

  10. Pak 75-2published at 20 overs

    Oof, that turned.

    Joe Root switches ends and gives it a bit of air to Saud Shakeel. It tempts Shakeel into a wafty drive and the ball lands in the bowlers' foot marks before jagging away from the Pakistan batter.

    More frustration for England though as Root drops the next delivery short and Shakeel cuts away for four.

  11. Postpublished at 11:19 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    There's an appeal but Aleem Dar is not interested.

    That spun a long way, bit of encouragement for the bowler.

  12. Pak 71-2published at 19 overs

    Babar Azam nudges a single off the first ball to bring the left-handed Saud Shakeel on strike.

    Jacks then really gets one to turn and hit his pads, prompting a half-hearted appeal that Aleem Dar turns down.

    Jacks then undoes his good work slightly with a short ball that Shafique can cut away for three.

  13. Postpublished at 11:14 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Just as you say that, Andy. Here is Will Jacks.

  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:13 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

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    Andy Cook: Surprised they're bowling Root before Jacks. Jacks has been picked for both batting and bowling whereas Root's wickets are usually seen as a happy bonus to his incredible batting.

  15. Pak 65-2published at 18 overs

    That's even bigger from Saud Shakeel as he goes for the heave towards deep mid-wicket, though it bounces just short of the boundary rope before rolling over it for four.

    He plays a similar shot two balls later but a little squarer and it races to the rope for another boundary.

  16. Pak 57-2published at 17 overs

    Babar Azam is looking in great touch. He charges Joe Root and dispatches him confidently back over his head and away for four.

    Babar is now on 41 from 47 balls.

  17. Pak 53-2published at 16 overs

    Would anyone else feel nervous if there were several birds flying menacingly overhead swooping down every now and then?

    There are now four catchers close in as Jack Leach bowls his eighth over.

    Saud Shakeel gets off the mark with a push through square leg.

  18. Postpublished at 11:07 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    One of those kites started to swoop in on the ball but Jacks picked it up and threw it back. That was the end of that excitement.

  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:05 Greenwich Mean Time 9 December 2022

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Babar Azam is just fantastic. Pleasure to watch him bat. (Through slightly gritted teeth.)

    Alex in Fife

  20. Pak 51-2published at 13 overs

    There you go. The BBC Sport readers' hive mind does it again.

    Every day is a school day.

    Back on solid ground, Joe Root races through another maiden over.