England in control as Cook decides to bat again after skittling Pakistan

After a stop-start day, England were firmly in control of the test at Old Trafford.

The home side finished the day on 98-1 with Alastair Cook unbeaten on 49 at the close of play.

Rain continually interrupted the day's play as England continued their good work to make their way through the Pakistani batting line up, and there was surprise when Cook elected to enforce the follow-on rather than make the most of the awkward batting conditions.

Alex Hales was dismissed for 24 with England on 68-1 when Mohammad Amir had him caught behind from an inside edge.

Stokes took a quick wicket, Sarfraz for 26, which left Pakistan teetering on 112-7, and when Root caught Shah on 1, with Woakes striking again to make it 119-8, it seemed that the innings would soon come to a close.

However, Misbah was a stubborn presence, and amassed 52 runs before he fell with Pakistan on 179, and Wahab RIaz's dismissal at the hands of Ali saw the visitors finish on 198 all out, giving England a lead of 198, who then chose to bat again rather than enforce the follow-on. England added just 11 runs without loss before rain interrupted play yet again.

The touring side, replying to England's massive 589 for eight declared, resumed on 57 for four and James Anderson soon had Shan Masood caught at second slip by Joe Root for 39.

Rain forced the players off the field for about an hour and when they returned Asad Shafiq, on four, drove loosely at a wide ball from Stuart Broad and Alex Hales took a simple catch at point.

Sarfraz Ahmed showed some attacking intent and hit five boundaries in his 26 before nicking Ben Stokes to Root at an overcast Old Trafford.

Root, who scored a test-best 254 on Saturday, pouched his fourth slip catch just before the interval, Yasir Shah, on one, becoming Chris Woakes's fourth victim of the innings.

Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq battled through to 22 not out at lunch but his team need another 271 runs to avoid the follow-on.

Pakistan won the first match in the four-test series by 75 runs at Lord's.