Cricket News: Pakistan 139/2 at stumps on day 1 in Manchester Test

Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali won the toss and chose to bat first as openers Shan Masood and Abid Ali put on 32 before Jofra Archer bowled Abid for 16 and Chris Woakes trapped Azhar leg before for a duck. Pakistan went to lunch precariously placed at 52-2, but the tourists fared much better over the course of the rest of the day, despite the frequent weather interruptions. Masood and Babar Azam, who hit a classy half-century, were still there at stumps on 46 not out and 69 respectively. Only 49 overs were bowled as rain interrupted the play on more than one occasion. Pakistan have drawn their last two series in England in 2016 and 2018 and are likely to pose a bigger threat than West Indies.