Pakistan advance on huge run total
Warwickshire's Ian Bell secured his third successive Test ton
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Saturday, 05, Aug 2006 10:42
On a placid Headingley track both England and Pakistan put in commanding batting displays to leave their third test finely poised after two day's play.
The hosts returned to the middle with a score of 347-6 to build on and with flamboyant Kevin Pietersen recovered from the cramps which saw him retire after his first-day century.
He eventually fell for 135, tempted into another huge hit by the bowling of Mohammad Sami which found the safe hands of Shahid Nazir at long-off rather than the back of the stand.
Warwickshire's Ian Bell's rich vein of form showed no sign of running dry as he joined his team-mate on three figures to record his third successive Test ton off 172 balls.
Even when he was finally dismissed by the leg-spin of Danish Kaneria, Stephen Harmison and Sajid Mahmood kept the tail wagging, both hitting thirties with some less refined, but equally, effective strokes.
With 515 on the board, England's bowlers were free to experiment in their search for some life in the wicket.
Matthew Hoggard nipped a solid opening partnership in the bud when he lured Taufeeq Umar into chasing a wide one and Chris Read showed the safe gloves behind the stumps that his predecessor sometimes lacked.
But despite Salman Butt's run out only 11 balls later Pakistan's middle-order soon tamed the new ball and found a rhythm that the England's attack rarely disrupted.
Mohammad Yousuf (91) and Younis Khan (64) took their side to 202-2 by the close of play and England will be hoping to somehow break their composure early on tomorrow to guarantee a healthy first-innings lead.