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Just when Pakistan was threatening to gain ascendancy in a tough run chase on Day 3 of the second Test match against England, James Anderson, for the umpteenth time, emerged as the Three Lions' messiah. After the visitors set a daunting target of 355 runs on a sluggish, spin-friendly wicket, the Men in Green got off to a solid start. Openers Abdullah Shafique (45 runs off 94 balls) and Mohammad Rizwan (30 runs off 43 balls) negated the new ball threat, and in the process, kept chipping away at the runs column. The duo registered a 66-run partnership and England were grappling to find inspiration from somewhere. And it came from the wily old customer - Anderson.
The 40-year-old right-arm pacer started the proceedings for England after lunch. It took him just five balls to produce a magical moment. Anderson delivered a seam-up delivery which straightened after pitching. The ball went past Rizwan's dangling bat and kissed the top of the off stump much to the delight of English players. After being bamboozled by Anderson's 'ball of the year', Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batter stood his ground in complete disbelief while commentators went berserk in the commentary box.
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Earlier in the day, England were bundled out for 275 runs after Harry Brook (108 runs off 149 balls) smashed his second consecutive century. With the Three Lions securing a first-innings lead of 79 runs, Pakistan stared at a stiff target of 355 runs. Soon after Anderson dismissed Rizwan, the hosts lost two more wickets in the span of 17 runs with Ollie Robinson and Mark Wood combining for the next two scalps.
After 43 overs, Pakistan's total was 143/3 and still needed 232 runs to level the series. England had won the first of three-match series by 74 runs to take a 1-0 lead.
