England complete formalities to go 2-0 ahead

Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott steered England to a nine-wicket victory against Pakistan after lunch on the fourth day of the second Test ...

Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott steered England to a nine-wicket victory against Pakistan after lunch on the fourth day of the second Test on Monday to go 2-0 up in the four-match series. England,set 118 to win at Edgbaston,cruised to their target as Strauss,dropped three times,and Trott both finished on 53 not out after the early dismissal of the out-of-form Alastair Cook.

There were a few butterflies this morning because we knew we had to work hard for a Test match win but that is the way it should be. It was hard work and we had to dig deep, Strauss told reporters. Pakistan must now win the final two tests at The Oval,starting August 18,and Lords to draw the series.

Strauss added 111 for the second wicket with Trott as they weathered Pakistans early onslaught that claimed Cooks wicket. Trott was untroubled and grew in confidence the longer he remained but Strauss was dropped twice on 10 and 38 by debutant wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider from off-spinner Saeed Ajmal,and then again on 43 by mid-off Mohammad Asif off Shoaib Malik.

The pitch showed signs of low bounce from the faster bowlers Mohammed Amir and Asif,while there was slow turn for off-spinner Ajmal,but generally the sunshine that later disappeared allowed for reasonable batting conditions. Pakistan achieved the early breakthrough they desired when Amir bowled Cook with the fourth ball of his second over and his first delivery to the left-hander.

Cook went neither forward nor back and his stumps were flattened by a ball that skidded through his non-existent defence to give Pakistan early optimism. Meanwhile,Pakistan,291 for nine overnight,added five runs to their total and faced 11 balls after the start of play. Stuart Broad had last man Asif caught by Kevin Pietersen at gully.

Broad fined

DUBAI: England bowler Stuart Broad has been fined 50 per cent of his match fee for throwing the ball at Pakistan batsman Zulqarnain Haider,the ICC said on Monday. The punishment was the minimum penalty match referee Ranjan Madugalle could have given Broad,who had pleaded guilty to the Level Two offence of throwing the ball at or near a player,umpire or official in an inappropriate and or dangerous manner.

The actions of Stuart Broad were unacceptable, Madugalle said in a statement. I understand the frustrations of a bowler in the heat of the moment but as an international sportsman one needs to control these emotions whatever may be the situation and always respect the opponent. Stuart,by pleading guilty,realised his mistake and I8217;m sure he will not repeat the same again.

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Brief scores: Pakistan 72 amp; 296 Zulqarnain Haider 88,Saeed Ajmal 50; G. Swann 6-65 v England 251 J. Trott 55,K. Pietersen 80; S. Ajmal 5-82 amp; 118-1 A.Strauss 53 not out,J.Trott 53 not out