England vs Pakistan report: Hosts fail to build on early James Anderson's breakthrough

England, all out for 297 at stumps the previous evening, were collectively off target with the ball

Root reacts after dropping Azhar off Anderson's bowling (Getty)

England were unable to cash in on a bonus early breakthrough as Pakistan reached lunch with just one wicket down on day two of the third Investec Test at Edgbaston.

Young opener Sami Aslam, in only his third Test, responded to the loss of Mohammad Hafeez - without a run on the board - by sharing an unbroken stand of 72 alongside Azhar Ali.

England, all out for 297 at stumps the previous evening, were collectively off target with the ball as both Aslam and Azhar were allowed to leave too often for home comfort.

The second-wicket pair picked up early boundaries down to a vacant third-man, then waited patiently and effectively for further scoring opportunities.

Hafeez's dismissal was the result of a moment which fell short of Test match standards in all aspects, apart from Gary Ballance's competent catching at point.

James Anderson's untypically poor, short and very wide delivery did him little credit in the first over of another intermittently cloudy morning but brought an even worse response from Hafeez, who guided a cut shot straight into the fielder's hands.

That, though, was as good as it got for England - who will need to improve if they are to earn a first-innings lead on this slow pitch.

PA