Tests in England: Pakistan’s opening problems

It was 20 years ago that an opening duo put on a fifty stand in UK

Mohammad Hafeez leaves the pitch after losing his wicket for 42 runs at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester, England on July 25, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

MANCHESTER:
Poor starts have been a problem for Pakistan in their ongoing four-Test series in England, which now stands at 1-1 after the hosts’ 330-run win in the second match at Old Trafford on Monday.

But Mohammad Hafeez and Shan Masood are not the first Pakistan opening pair to struggle in English conditions.

Indeed you have to go back to 1996 for the last time a Pakistan first-wicket duo put on a fifty stand in a Test against England in England.

Below AFP Sport looks back at that lengthy list of short-lived opening stands by Pakistan against England in England (batsmen, stand, innings of match, venue, year):

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Mohammad Hafeez, Shan Masood  27  2  Old Trafford 2016

Mohammad Hafeez, Shan Masood    7  4  Old Trafford 2016

Mohammad Hafeez, Shan Masood  38  1  Lord's 2016

Mohammad Hafeez, Shan Masood    2  3  Lord's 2016

Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed              9  2  Lord's 2010

Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed              7  3  Lord's 2010

Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed            48  2  The Oval 2010

Imran Farhat, Yasir Hameed              5  4  The Oval 2010

Imran Farhat, Salman Butt                8  1  Edgbaston 2010

Imran Farhat, Salman Butt                1  3  Edgbaston 2010


Imran Farhat, Salman Butt                5  2  Trent Bridge 2010

Imran Farhat, Salman Butt              10  4  Trent Bridge 2010

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Imran Farhat, Mohammad Hafeez  35* 2  The Oval 2006

Salman Butt, Taufeeq Umar             34  2  Headingley 2006

Salman Butt, Taufeeq Umar             23  4  Headingley 2006

Imran Farhat, Kamran Akmal           4  1  Old Trafford 2006

Imran Farhat, Kamran Akmal         21  3  Old Trafford 2006

Imran Farhat, Salman Butt             28  2  Lord's 2006

Imran Farhat, Salman Butt              0  4  Lord's 2006

Abdul Razzaq, Saeed Anwar             6  1  Old Trafford 2001

Abdul Razzaq, Saeed Anwar          24  3  Old Trafford 2001

Saeed Anwar, Saleem Elahi              4  2  Lord's 2001

Saeed Anwar, Saleem Elahi              2  3  Lord's 2001

Aamer Sohail, Saeed Anwar         106  2  The Oval 1996

* = Hafeez retired hurt before resuming his innings, first wicket fell at 70 -- number three Younus Khan.
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