England fight back but Pak eye win

LONDON, May 26

Jos Buttler and Dom Bess shared a spirited century stand to save England from a humiliating innings defeat by Pakistan in the first Test at the Lord’s on Saturday.

The pair came together with the hosts reeling at 110/6, 69 runs behind the touring side and heading for their first loss in a May Test at the home of cricket inside three days. Buttler, recalled to the side, and debutant Bess calmly added 125 runs in the evening sunshine to put England 56 runs ahead and take the match into a fourth day, although Pakistan should still complete a deserved victory on Sunday. They added 13 runs to their overnight 350/8 to extend their lead to 179 and quickly started running through England’s brittle batting line-up.

Alastair Cook was trapped lbw by Mohammad Abbas for one and Mark Stoneman made a scratchy nine before he was bowled by leg-spinner Shadab Khan before England limped to lunch at 37/2. Captain Joe Root batted patiently, content to defend and take advantage of the rare loose balls. He reached his 50 before Mohammad Amir took two wickets in one over.

Brief Scores: Eng: 184 and 235/6 (J Root 68, J Buttler 66*, D Bess 55*; M Amir 2/35); Pakistan: 363. — Reuters