• Pakistan 154-1 at tea
• Aslam 69 not out, Azhar 72 not out
• Anderson removes Hafeez for nought

BIRMINGHAM: Sami Aslam and Azhar Ali batted through the afternoon session to lift Pakistan to 154 for one at tea on the second day of the third test against England in Birmingham on Thursday. Replying to the hosts' 297, Aslam moved on to 69 not out with Azhar on 72 as England struggled to make anything happen on a flat wicket at Edgbaston. READ ALSO

• Pakistan dig in after early Hafeez blow

The hosts made their only breakthrough with the fourth ball of the day when Mohammad Hafeez cut James Anderson straight to Gary Ballance at point. Anderson induced a rash stroke from Azhar shortly after lunch but Joe Root spilled a difficult catch at second slip and England's frustration mounted. Azhar drove Steven Finn off the back-foot for three to bring up his 21st test half century and Aslam, 20, swept spinner Moeen Ali for four to reach his maiden test fifty in his third match. The four-match series is level at 1-1.