Mohammad Abbas cricketer: Watch Pakistani bowler castles Ben Stokes in Old Trafford Test

Mohammad Abbas: The 30-year old Pakistani bowler made early inroads into the English batting unit in the third session today.

During the second day of the first Test of the ongoing Pakistan’s tour of England in Manchester, Pakistan bowler Mohammad Abbas stood tall on his potential to make early inroads into the English batting unit.

After England bundled out Pakistan for 329 in 109.3 overs, they themselves got reduced to 12/3 as Pakistan’s new-ball bowlers in Shaheen Shah Afridi and Abbas made optimum use of the English conditions.

Abbas, in particular, dismissed opening batsman Dom Sibley (8) and vice-captain Ben Stokes (0) to send the hosts on the back foot.

It was on the third delivery of the sixth over that Abbas went through Stokes’ defense to send him back to the pavilion. In a bid to minimize the swing against Abbas, the left-hand batsman was seen standing way outside his batting crease.

However, Abbas drew Stokes forward only to beat him as the ball went past his outside edge to hit the stumps. Given Stokes’ recent form, dismissing him cheaply was nothing less than a priced scalp for the visiting team.

With batsman Ollie Pope accumulating runs swiftly, England have some momentum with them. However, they still are way behind in the innings for they are playing a specialist batsman less to accommodate Stokes.

Mohammad Abbas castles Ben Stokes

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