ENG vs PAK | Ageas Bowl - Wet outfield prevents result despite Abbas magic

Brief scores: England 110/4 in 43.1 overs (Zak Crawley 53 and Mohammad Abbas 2/28) draw Pakistan 236

On the fourth day of the second Test at the Ageas Bowl, at least 11 overs were hurled down by both Pakistan and English bowlers. However, on the last day of the encounter, there was a familiar friend who made a return in English conditions - a thorough spell of rain and a doggy and wet outfield. The combination of the two prevented most parts of the day’s play before one long session succeeded Tea. 

During the one-long session, England’s top-order stood the testing times, including playing out the dangerous Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Abbas before Pakistan tried to shuffle things with the introduction of Yasir Shah. The leg-spinner’s immediate effect only could result in one dropped catch and one missed stumping opportunity. Following that, Mohammad Abbas’ spirited bowling, where he knocked Zak Crawley, Dominic Sibley and nearly accounted for Joe Root made the game interesting. However, the visitors did not have enough time to make use of the session as the match ended in a draw. 

Pakistan would be heart-broken, with conditions tailor-made for their bowling unit, who had already struck on the fourth day to send back Rory Burns to the dressing room but could not get enough time on the last day to force a result. The two teams are set to share 26 points in between them, as England climb up the leaderboard in World Test Championship. With the third Test at the same venue, surely only prayers could be of any help, given that the weather conditions aren’t likely to change in the city.