Fighting Pakistan hold up dominant England

The tourists still required 29 runs at tea to make England bat again at Edgbaston.

 

Pakistan were 150 for six at the interval as debutant and top scorer Haider fought bravely to be 36 not out and 18-year-old number eight batsman Amir was on 14 from 103 balls.

 

Off-spinner Graeme Swann had figures of four for 23 from 24 overs having bowled unchanged for 16 overs in the afternoon session in which he managed the sole wicket of Umar Amin -- stumped efficiently for 14 by wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

 

Pakistan crashed from a promising 53 for one to 82 for five before lunch but the obstinate stand between Haider and Amir delayed the inevitable.

 

While Haider has been a solid presence, Amir escaped a run out chance on one and a dropped catch by short leg fielder Alastair Cook on nine off Paul Collingwood.

 

Pakistan have faced an uphill task to save the test since posting their lowest-ever test total against England in the first innings, of 72. England replied with 251.

 

For once, England have not had to rely on their swing bowlers and Swann has played a leading role as sunshine broke through the clouds.

 

Swann, who bowled just two overs in the first test that England won by 354 runs and did not bowl in the first innings here, managed 62 consecutive dot balls before tea but the Pakistani duo withstood the pressure.

 

Haider was given out lbw to Swann first ball by umpire Steve Davis but the decision was overturned following another referral.

 

Haider, who has said he will donate half of his match fee to Imran Khan's cancer hospital in Lahore, was drafted in for the game after regular wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal was dropped for poor form.

 

England's Stuart Broad was rebuked by the on-field umpires after he needlessly threw the ball at Haider and struck him on the shoulder.

 

Broad, known for occasional bouts of temper, apologised to the injured batsman. Match referee Ranjan Madugalle may yet be called to take action.