SOUTHAMPTON: Mohammad Rizwan held up England’s charge as he marked the Independence Day with a fine unbeaten fifty in the second Test at Southampton on Friday.

Pakistan were 223-9 in their first innings when bad light — despite the Ageas Bowl floodlights being on full beam — led to an early close of second day’s play.

Rizwan was 60 not out after more than three hours at the crease. It was the wicket-keeper’s second fifty in eight Tests following his 95 against Australia in Brisbane in November.

Pakistan were in danger of being dismissed for under 200 at 176-8. But Mohammad Abbas, who made two off 20 balls, gave Rizwan staunch support in a stand of 39 before he was lbw to Stuart Broad for two.

Fortunately for the umpires — in a series being played behind closed doors because of the coronavirus — there were no angry spectators when they halted play for bad light 10 minutes after tea, with neither the batsmen nor the fielders appearing to be in any more danger of injury.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2020