POPE AND GLORY

Never say die England hit back with late wickets in energy-sapping heat

- RORY DOLLARD

ENGLAND were praised for their tenacity as they rallied under pressure on day one of the first Test against Pakistan.

Ollie Pope's tourists were backed into a corner after centuries from Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique put Pakistan in total control at 261-1 in the final session, but a spirited fightback dragged them back to 328-4 at stumps in Multan.

After 56 joyless overs and 253 runs, England picked up Masood and Shafique in quick succession, then added the mercurial Babar Azam as Chris Woakes (left) landed a morale-boosting late blow with the second new ball.

In energy-sapping heat and with a stubbornly unresponsive pitch to work with, things might easily have gone off the rails.