The visitors started the series by winning the toss and batting first. England’s bug of slow starts to a Test series struck again, despite having picked up two wickets in the first session.

The English then had a further two wicket-taking opportunities on either side of a lengthy rain delay, with England's Jos Buttler missing two opportunities either side of that break. First dropping a catch and then missing a stumping, with both opportunities coming off the bowling of Dominic Bess.

Play was stopped early as a result of bad light, with Pakistan on 139 for 2. England will be wary of Babar Azam who brought up a 5th consecutive half-century and is unbeaten on 69, with four of his previous five innings’ bringing up hundreds.

The other man at the crease is Shan Masood who is on 46*.

Play on day two at Old Trafford is set to get underway at noon.

@SamLudidi OFM Sport