England’s Test match with Pakistan fizzles out into a draw at the Ageas Bowl

The second Test between England and Pakistan has ended in a draw at the Ageas Bowl. 

England declared their innings on 110 for four in the 44th over, which had been started by Pakistan captain Azhar Ali, with the theoretical change of innings accounting for two overs to draw a close to a disappointing week.

A heavy deluge of rain overnight left the Ageas Bowl outfield sodden and a series of inspections by the umpires deemed conditions unsuitable at the start of play.

A further shower interrupted a later assessment by Richard Kettleborough and Michael Gough, who were sent scampering off the field as ground staff rushed on the covers.

England’s second Test against Pakistan has been blighted by bad weather once again

No play was possible on the morning of the fifth day following a deluge of rain overnight

Umpires (left to right) Richard Kettleborough, Martin Saggers and Michael Gough inspect the pitch on Monday morning

Play eventually resumed under blue skies in the afternoon after the pitch dried sufficiently

England’s Zak Crawley plays a shot to the boundary for four once play got underway

Just 96.2 overs have been possible in a frustrating match and any hope of a result is now effectively impossible with England set to preserve their 1-0 lead in the series with one Test to play.

England’s first innings is currently paused on seven for one after five overs, responding to Pakistan’s 236 all out after just 10.2 overs were possible on the fourth day before the weather closed in once again. 

After a number of inspections, the pitch was eventually deemed dry enough for play to resume at 3.20pm, allowing England to get in a little bit of batting practice before Friday’s third and final Test at the same venue.