Watch: Mohammad Amir disturbs Alastair Cook’s woodwork

The day by far had belonged to England after they won the toss and elected to bat first; the Alastair Cook – Joe Root partnership had laid a strong foundation for them to put up a big total but right at the stroke of Tea Mohammad Amir struck and the skipper was dismissed for 105.

Cook did all the hard work to see off the new ball and though he lost his partner Alex Hales who was bowled by an incoming delivery from Amir, he stitched an authoritative one with no.3 Joe Root. The duo didn’t just play off the first session but also accumulated a lot of runs in the second session as batting got easier. The ball was no longer troubling them and Cook emerged as the aggressor among the two. He took 90 balls for his fifty and was beaten to the half-century by Root but after that, he shifted gears and got to his century in another 67 balls.

For the second wicket, the duo added 185 runs in 48.4 overs. But as it is often said just before and after a break the batsman is most vulnerable to lose his concentration something similar happened with Cook as he was cleaned up by Amir. On the 4th ball of the 56th over Amir pitched it fuller and the ball stayed low. Cook pushed at it to defend but it went under his bat to rattle his off-stump.

It was a huge wicket for Pakistan also considering the timing. The team went into Tea on a high and would want to capitalize at the opening they have got. Root is batting well at the other end and is unbeaten on 87.

Also Watch: Alex Hales has absolutely no answer to Mohammad Amir

Watch: Mohammad Amir disturbs Alastair Cook’s woodwork:

WATCH: Cook bowled by Amir for 105, before going off to an Old Trafford ovation. ENG 210-2: https://t.co/XbFzNuRrnw https://t.co/NZrNYEKfic

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 22, 2016