England took control of the second Test against Pakistan on day two at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, as 13 wickets fell in a dramatic day of cricket.
England began the day on a strong footing, with Rory Burns and Dom Sibley putting on a solid opening partnership of 81. However, the partnership was broken when Sibley was caught behind off the bowling of Shaheen Afridi for 33. Burns followed shortly after, caught at mid-off for a well-made 53.
England then lost their next three wickets for just four runs, as Ollie Pope, Joe Root and Jos Buttler all fell cheaply. This left England in a precarious position at 95-5, but a brilliant partnership between Chris Woakes and Ollie Robinson steadied the ship. The pair put on a crucial partnership of 79, before Robinson was caught behind for a well-made 42.
Woakes then fell for a well-made 44, leaving England on 174-7. However, a brilliant innings from debutant Dan Lawrence, who scored a composed 53, and a quickfire 33 from Mark Wood, helped England to a total of 277 all out.
In reply, Pakistan got off to a solid start, with openers Abid Ali and Shan Masood putting on a partnership of 56. However, the partnership was broken when Ali was caught behind off the bowling of Robinson for a well-made 33. Masood followed shortly after, caught at mid-off for a well-made 28.
Pakistan then lost their next three wickets for just four runs, as Azhar Ali, Babar Azam and Fawad Alam all fell cheaply. This left Pakistan in a precarious position at 94-5, but a brilliant partnership between Mohammad Rizwan and Faheem Ashraf steadied the ship. The pair put on a crucial partnership of 64, before Ashraf was caught behind for a well-made 33.
Rizwan then fell for a well-made 44, leaving Pakistan on 158-7. However, a brilliant innings from debutant Nauman Ali, who scored a composed 33, and a quickfire 24 from Yasir Shah, helped Pakistan to a total of 236 all out.
England then had a tricky period of batting to negotiate, with the score on 11-2. However, a brilliant partnership between Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow steadied the ship. The pair put on a crucial partnership of 79, before Bairstow was caught behind for a well-made 44.
Stokes then fell for a well-made 56, leaving England on 90-3. However, a brilliant innings from debutant Jack Leach, who scored a composed 33, and a quickfire 30 from James Bracey, helped England to a total of 166-3 at stumps.
England now have a lead of 111 runs, and with two days remaining, they are in a strong position to take the series. The performance of debutants Dan Lawrence, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach and Nauman Ali was particularly impressive, and they will be hoping to continue their good form in the remainder of the match.
England will be looking to build on their lead on day three, and with the likes of Ben Stokes, Joe Root and Jos Buttler still to come, they will be confident of taking the series.