The Albany Gazette - Cox defies Pakistan after Abbas's treble strike rocks England

Veteran seamer Abbas took three wickets for four runs in 16 balls, including the prize scalp of England captain Joe Root for just four, as the hosts slumped to 36-3 after Pakistan won the toss.

But Cox's 55 not out helped England recover to 180-5 at tea, with Jamie Smith 45 not out in an unbroken stand of 60.

Cox's second fifty in successive Tests also helped turn attention back to England's on-field efforts after fast bowler Brydon Carse was dropped from the squad following the latest off-field incident to affect the team.

Pakistan were woeful in all departments during an innings and 103-run defeat in the first of a three-Test series at Headingley last week.

They did, however, have the worst of the conditions after losing the toss.

It was a different story in London, with Pakistan captain Babar Azam, the only change to either side as he returned from a finger injury in place of stand-in skipper Salman Ali Agha, opting to field on a green-tinged pitch under grey skies.

Abbas, who has had stints with several English counties, was soon into his stride on a ground where he was named player of the match after taking eight wickets in Pakistan's victory in their last Test at Lord's in 2018.

The 36-year-old sparked England's slump when Emilio Gay glanced a legside ball only for diving wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan to hold an excellent one-handed catch.

Ben Duckett fell for 17 when lbw to an Abbas nip-backer.

Medium pace bowling with the keeper standing up to the stumps has plagued England in recent times and Rizwan was up to the wicket when Abbas pinned Root on the back leg.

Root was so clearly lbw he opted against a review.

Harry Brook was then clean bowled for 15 by a superb Mohammad Ali delivery that jagged back sharply, with England 80-4 at lunch.

Dan Lawrence had made just 10 when he flicked Khurram Shahzad to midwicket only for Shan Masood to drop a seemingly routine catch.

Pakistan's fielding was also poor as they tumbled to the bottom of the World Test Championship table with defeat in Leeds.

But when Lawrence turned spinner Ali Usman legside after the drinks break and set off for a non-existent single, only to be sent back by Cox, he was run out by Masood's accurate throw from mid-wicket to Rizwan.

Cox, however, struck consecutive legside boundaries off Usman to complete an 88-ball fifty including seven fours.

(O.Robinson--TAG)