Twitter Reactions: Pakistan continue to dominate, inch closer to a big win

Team Pakistan continued to dictate terms in the ongoing Lord’s Test against England. After having dominated the terms on the first two days, the Pakistani bowlers were back in action again on the third day to put their side in a winning position on the day. Earlier in the game, England were bundled out for a paltry 184 in the first innings after having won the toss.

Mohammad Abbas and Hasan Ali had scalped four wickets each for the visitors. In response, the Pakistan batsmen showed great ability to adapt in the English conditions. Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, and Shadab Khan hit fifties in the match to see the visitors post a total of 363 on the board. With a lead of 179 runs, the visitors knew they had the upper hand in the game.

They needed their bowlers to step up to the occasion yet again on the third day. The bowlers did what the team needed. England lost Alastair Cook in the second over of the match with Abbas striking first. Soon, Shadab Khan got the better of Mark Stoneman to send the batter packing on 9. Dawid Malan (12), Jonny Bairstow (0), and Ben Stokes (9) perished cheaply as well.

As the wickets fell from one end, the English skipper Joe Root held the fort from the other end. Root scored a fighting 68 to keep his side in the hunt. Root’s resistance ended with Abbas trapping him lbw in the second session. At 110/6, with the deficit still to clear, the English side knew they were in dire straits. Pakistan sensed supremacy and hoped to go for the kill. But Jos Buttler and Dominic Bess had other plans.

The two batsmen added 125 runs for the sixth to ensure that no more wickets fell on the day. England finished with 235/6 at stumps on day 3. While Buttler finished with an unbeaten 66 on the day, Dominic Bess remained unbeaten on 55.

Here is how the Twitterati reacted to the day’s play:

@josbuttler is making the most of his good form. Bess has supported him really well. Pakistan needs a wicket here. #ENGvPAK

— aditya kukalyekar (@adikuks) May 26, 2018

Seems Buttler enhanced his first-class skills while playing at the IPL, Andy Flower?

— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) May 26, 2018

In Test cricket, the average dismissal rate for defensive strokes is 74. Jos Buttler is dismissed every 158 defensive strokes in Tests. Proof he can play the longest format? #ENGvPAK

— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) May 26, 2018

Peach 🔥 from Amir. #EngvsPak

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) May 26, 2018

To watch Test cricket happening in England is 👌 #EngvsPak

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) May 26, 2018

Not surprised at all by Pakistan’s performance at Lords.
I played under Safraz for 3 seasons of PSL & he certainly has a winning instinct!
Mickey also very smart!

— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) May 26, 2018

Legends rightly say that Test Cricket is played session by session. England were on verge of innings defeat before Tea are now cruising to give attacking target.🔥

This is what makes this game a Great where storyline takes new twist & turns one after another.🇵🇰🇬🇧 #ENGvPAK

— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) May 26, 2018

Shadab is not bowling like a genuine leg-spinner. Bowling flat and straight. Turning into a batting allrounder #ENGvPAK

— Muhammad Waseem Shahzad (@docwaseem__) May 26, 2018

Jus buttler is always class player, never came into limelight! But, now it’s time to look to the form he is in. @josbuttler #ENGvPAK

— Tejas Joshi (@tejas_h_joshi) May 26, 2018

Any target above 100 could be tricky for Pakistan.#ENGvPAK

— Muhammad Qasim (@realmqasim) May 26, 2018

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