Cook, Root dazzle

Manchester, July 22

Joe Root's unbeaten 141 was the centrepiece of England's commanding 314/4 on the first day of the second Test against Pakistan at Old Trafford.

Having twice got himself out during England's 75-run defeat by Pakistan in the first of a four-Test series at Lord's last week, a determined Root did not give a chance in just over six hours at the crease on Friday.

Earlier, England captain Alastair Cook made 105 and shared a second-wicket stand of 185 with Root.

Pakistan's left-arm pace trio of Mohammad Amir, Rahat Ali and Wahab Riaz became increasingly threatening as the skies clouded over late on. Amir took two for 63 and Rahat two for 69, with both men bowling 20 overs.

But star leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who took a man-of-the-match winning 10 wickets at Lord's, returned figures of none for 111 in 31 overs. Amir had opener Alex Hales dropped in the gully on six by Asad Shafiq. — AFP

Scoreboard

England 1st innings

A Cook b M Amir 105

A Hales b M Amir 10

J Root not out 141

J Vince c S Ahmed b R Ali 18

G Ballance b R Ali 23

C Woakes not out 2

Extras (lb3, w5, nb7) 15

Total (4 wkts, 89 overs) 314

Fall of wickets: 1-25 2-210 3-238 4-311 

Bowling

M Amir 20-4-63-2

R Ali 20-3-69-2

W Riaz 16-1-59-0

Y Shah 31-5-111-0

A Ali 2-0-9-0