Pakistan claim big wickets

Pakistan took the key wickets of Alastair Cook and Joe Root as England moved on to 100 for three at lunch on the first day of the third Test in Birmingham.

Pakistan took the key wickets of Alastair Cook and Joe Root as England moved on to 100 for three at lunch on the first day of the third Test in Birmingham on Wednesday.

Root, who made 254 in the last Test, was caught in the slips off Sohail Khan for three and Cook, on 45, was trapped lbw by Rahat Ali to give Pakistan the edge after they had won the toss in overcast conditions at Edgbaston.

Alex Hales was the first man out for 17, edging a fine delivery from Sohail to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed.

Root played a loose shot at Sohail and nicked a simple catch to Mohammad Hafeez at first slip.

Cook looked in good touch again and struck eight crisp fours but he was undone by a ball from Rahat that nipped back and although the England captain reviewed the decision to give him out, replays proved it to be correct.

James Vince, under pressure after a poor run of form, was 16 not out at the interval with Gary Ballance on 18.

The four-match series is level at 1-1. – Reuters