Follow-on clouds loom over Pakistan after four early wickets

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Mohammad Hafeez averages a deplorable 19.33 in his three Test innings in this tour. — Reuters
Mohammad Hafeez averages a deplorable 19.33 in his three Test innings in this tour. — Reuters

MANCHESTER: More than half of Pakistan's recognised batsmen were back in the pavilion as Misbah-ul-Haq's side crumbled to four for 57 on Saturday at Stumps on day two of the second Test, after England declared at 589/8 in the last session.

England all-rounder Chris Woakes teared apart Pakistan top-order and bagged three wickets in six overs.

Ben Stokes, returning from a knee injury, picked up Pakistan's veteran batsman Younis Khan, who managed just one run off six balls.

Pakistan's opening stand lasted for 12-overs. Woakes induced an edge off Mohammad Hafeez's bat for Joe Root, stationed at second slip, to capture it.

Azhar Ali (1 off 13), Younis, and night watchman Rahat Ali (4 off 7) followed the right-handed opener back to the hutch in the next nine overs.

Pakistan need another 332 runs to avoid follow-on

Opener Shan Masood remained unbeaten for 35 at the end of the day's play with Pakistan skipper holding the other end on one.

Earlier, England declared on 589 for 8 after Joe Root registered his maiden 250-plus score in his 44-Test match long career.

He became the sixth batsman in 132 years to score a Test double century at Old Trafford.

The right-handed batsman reached 200-run mark on his 355th delivery with a reverse sweep off Yasir that yielded him his 22nd boundary.

The 25-year-old hit 27 fours in his 406-ball 254 before lifting the ball high up in the air off Wahab Riaz for Hafeez to seize a diving catch.

The left-arm pacer dismissed Jonny Bairstow in his next over to bag his third wicket of the innings after which English captain Alastair Cook declared the innings.

Starting the day at 314, Root and Chris Woakes, the unbeaten pair at Stumps on day one, added 100 runs before leg-spinner Yasir Shah struck.

Woakes was caught by Yasir off his own bowling after the all-rounder had scored his Test career's second fifty.

Pakistan's sloppy run in the field stretched to day two.

During his 104-ball 58, Woakes was dropped by veteran Younis Khan, stationed at first slip, off Yasir. Wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed dropped Jonny Bairstow later in the day off the leg-spinner.

On Friday, Younis spilled an easy catch at second slip off James Vince's leading edge.

On day one, Root, coming in at number three, put up a remarkable show with a magnificent 246-ball 141.

After Alastair Cook-led England faced an early blow in the form of Alex Hales' dismissal on the last ball of the seventh over, a 185-run stand between the English skipper and Root pushed the visitors onto the back foot.

During the partnership, Cook registered his fifth Test century against Pakistan. This was only the second time since 1962 that two from the top three English batsmen scored centuries in a Test innings.

Pakistan bowlers had a long day on a placid wicket that offered them no assistance.

Mohammad Amir and Rahat Ali took two wickets apiece.

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