Pakistan Make England Suffer
Pakistan’s Mohammad Yousuf hit his third century in four Tests and passed 600 runs for the series as the tourists took an iron grip against England on the second day of the Fourth Test at the Oval.
The prolific Yousuf ended the second day on 115 not out as Pakistan reached a formidable 336-3, leading England by 163, with 30 overs lost to rain.
Yousuf, dropped twice before reaching 10 on Thursday, was supported by Imran Farhat (91) and Mohammad Hafeez (95).
Matthew Hoggard and Sajid Mahmood were the only England bowlers to strike.
Hoggard said, “We’ve got to pick ourselves up and bowl well tomorrow.”
“With our batting we were very below par - it’s the first time that’s happened in a long time - and with our bowling we haven’t hit our straps.”
“We are not in the best of rhythm but it’s no excuse.”
Test Match Special’s Geoffrey Boycott said he thought only rain could save England now.
He added: “They’ve had a bad game. They are trying but it does happen when a team has psychologically won (a series) that you have a bad game.”
“It’s been a big let-down for the public.”