Pakistan's bid for a victory inside three days over England in the first Test was thwarted by an unbeaten 125-run stand between Jos Buttler and debutant Dom Bess at Lord's on Saturday. Trailing by 179 runs after the first innings, England slumped to 110/6 and Pakistan had a session to finish off the home side with two days to spare.
Buttler (66 not out), a limited-overs specialist, and Bess (55 not out), a 20-year-old spinner, displayed the kind of diligence and discipline that the top order lacked to earn England a 56-run lead by the close of play on a beautiful day in northwest London.
England was 235/6 at stumps.
Pakistan are still the big favorite to go 1-0 ahead in the two-Test series, but the tourists at least will have to work for the victory.
