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Four centuries in a single day as England take honours on Day 1


image-lb516wygPope and Brook both scored centuries [Source: Twitter]

England showed their ruthless approach, or should I say 'Bazball' approach against Pakistan. The Ben Stokes led side ended Day 1 on a mammoth 506 for the loss of just 4 wickets before bad light stopped the play.

It was expected that Pakistan will prepare a lively wicket for the first Test match after what transpired against the Aussies earlier this year. But not to everyone's surprise, we saw a flat-track, that was tailor-made for the batters.

Ben Stokes won the toss and he had no hesitation in batting first. His batters justified the decision by bludgeoning the Pakistan bowlers all around the park.

The surface had nothing for the pacers and the new England opening pair of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley took full advantage of it. At the stroke of lunch, England were 174-0, which showed the batting paradise which was on offer.

The duo added a massive 233 for the first wicket, before Pakistan got the wicket of Duckett, who was dismissed for a 110-ball 107. He was quickly followed by Zak Crawley, who showed his supremacy, but was eventually sent back for a blistering 122 off just 111 balls.

For a change, Joe Root couldn't capitalise on his good start, but this was an opportunity for Ollie Pope to shine and he did just that. He took on an aggressive route and became the third centurion for England. 

By the time Pope was dismissed (108 off 104), England had already crossed the 400-run mark and were well on their course to achieve the unthinkable - 500 in a single day.

Harry Brook, who has played so much cricket in Pakistan (PSL), knew the conditions on the back of his hand and ensured that he took full advantage of this situation. The Yorkshire lad notched up his maiden Test century and remained unbeaten on 101 when bad light stopped the game.

Ben Stokes is accompanying Brook and the duo have already added 46 runs in no time and will look to continue the onslaught when the game starts tomorrow morning.

Pakistan bowlers were toothless and it showed in their bowling as hardly anyone troubled the English batters. Debutant Zahid Mahmood did manage to scalp 2 wickets, but he gave away 160.

Brief Score (Day 1)

England: 506-4

Zak Crawley 122 (111), Ollie Pope 108 (104), Ben Duckett 107 (110), Harry Brook 101* (81)

Zahid Mahmood 2-160 (23), Haris Rauf 78-1 (13)


Also Read: Harry Brook becomes the first English batter to hit 6 fours in an over in Test cricket