Second Test finely poised with Pakistan 13-8

THE second Test between Pakistan and England was finely poised after Pakistan ended the first day in Abu Dhabi on 256-7.

The match resumes at 6am on Thursday with Pakistan slight favourites at 13-8 to take a 2-0 lead in the three-match series and England at 7-4.

It was a disciplined display from the English bowlers as Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann took three wickets each and Monty Panesar, who had been 7-4 with Hills and Blue Square to make the team after last week’s first Test, dismissed the dangerous Mohammed Hafeez. Misbah-ul-Haq is unbeaten on 83 overnight.

Both previous Tests at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium have finished as draws but bet365 are hoping that’s not the case this time around.

Spokesman Steve Freeth said: “We laid plenty of the draw before the Test started – it went off at 11-10 – so we’d like a positive result.” The firm pushed the stalemate out to 5-2 after the first day.