MANCHESTER, 3 June — Dramatic happenings either side of tea interval left the second Test between Pakistan and England wide open with both teams now in with a chance of forcing a victory with two days remaining to play here at Old Trafford.

England, looking forward to preventing Pakistan from winning this Test and thus notching up their fifth consecutive series win — last time they achieved this goal in 1971 — had reduced Pakistan to 87 for 3, an overall lead of just 133 runs, but first innings centurion Inzamam ul-Haq was still there at close when play was called off by the umpires due to bad light with 8.1 overs left in the day. The presence of Inzamam at the crease would be a source of satisfaction for the Pakistanis, who did well to cause a major England collapse when they captured the last five wickets for nine runs off 34 balls. England cruising along at one stage on 348 for 5 after centuries from Graham Thorpe and Michael Vaughan who shared a record-breaking third-wicket stand of 267 runs, the highest for any wicket against Pakistan, were bowled out for 357 runs shortly before tea conceding a first innings lead of 46 runs to Pakistan. Abdul Razzaq with a spell of 3 for 8 off 15 balls and Saqlain Mushtaq with two wickets in two overs, causing the sensational collapse.

And the adrenalin caused by triggering the England collapse, featured when Pakistan began their second innings after tea, with Saeed Anwar and Abdul Razzaq going after the bowlers, Caddick going for 19 runs in two overs, as Razzaq in particular was very harsh on him.

But England struck back when first change Matthew Hoggard got Saeed who fell in identical fashion as he had done in the first innings, trying to fend off a rising delivery outside the off stump. He batted for 13 minutes and 14 balls for his 12 runs all off which came from boundaries. Razaq from the other end was going great guns even pulling Hoggard for a six to midwicket. He however fell at the score of 41 in the sixth over miscuing a pull shot to wide mid-on where Cork took the catch. His innings of 22 was studded with three fours and a six from 19 balls.

Faisal Iqbal after battling it out for 55 balls and 85 minutes having been peppered with short pitched deliveries from the bowlers, finally went for 14 caught behind off Caddick.

Inzamam who has looked solid throughout the match than decided to change tactics and having batted for 118 minutes and 82 balls for his 25 ensured Pakistan didn’t suffer any more losses. Yousuf Youhanna having struggled so far is also there with three runs from 37 balls.

England and Pakistan players

receive official warning

Match referee Brian Hastings said England and Pakistan’s players’ behavior was “not acceptable” following the conclusion of the third day’s play.

The New Zealand official was concerned by an incident involving England’s Andrew Caddick and Pakistan’s Rashid Latif and Azhar Mahmood that happened while the home side slumped to 357 in their first innings.

“Match referee Brian Hastings held separate meetings with the captains of both sides, regarding an incident on the pitch during England’s innings,” a statement issued on his behalf read.

“He also spoke to Andrew Caddick, Rashid Latif and Azhar Mahmood and in respect of these meetings has issued a warning to both teams that their behaviour was not acceptable.” However, the statement added that Hastings would not be taking any further action.

Foster not satisfied

with bowlers

The Australian bowling coach, Daryl Foster returns home on Tuesday not satisfied with the work being done by the Pakistani bowlers.

Foster who was hired by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for this tour said here that he would not be staying for the One-Day Internationals and returns home on Tuesday. “I have a lot of commitments and though I would have liked to stay, I cannot do it.” He also denied having any knowledge of having been signed on by the Sri Lankan Cricket Board on a one year contract from September this year.

“This is the first time I have heard about this. I have been there a couple of times to help out with their cricket academy, but nothing more than that.”

Meanwhile, South African batting legend Barry Richards has conveyed to the PCB officials that he would be available for any coaching assignment from next year April onward.

Richards who has been approached a number of times to take up a coaching assignment or consultant’s role by the Pakistan board a few times in recent months, conveyed to Rameez Raja, a member of the advisory panel that he was keen to link up with any assignment linked to development programs or young players in Pakistan.

Australians on course

to win tour opener

In Worcester, England, Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting both struck 65 as the Australians stayed on course to open their tour of England with a comprehensive victory over Worcestershire.

By the close on the second day of the three-day match yesterday, the touring team led by a massive 424 with six second innings wickets left. The Australians dismissed Worcestershire for 163 to lead by 188 on first innings but decided not to enforce the follow-on so they could get more batting practice and ended the day at 236 for four.

Das, Laxman hit centuries

In Harare, centuries by Shiv Sunder Das and Vangipurappu Laxman put India on top on the first day of their three-day tour match against a Zimbabwe Academy XI yesterday.

India, who lost the toss and were put in to bat, had reached 370 for three at stumps, with Das hitting 110 and Laxman 100.

The pair added 162 runs for the second wicket and both retired out after reaching their centuries. Das faced 186 balls and hit 13 fours, while Laxman hit 15 boundaries in his 132 ball knock.

Das and Sadagoppan Ramesh put on 86 for the first wicket before Ramesh was caught behind down the leg side for 42 by wicketkeeper Wisdom Siziba off the bowling of Leon Soma.