Central Plains FFA Chapter

08/27 12:45 CDT Bad light halts play as England fights to 248-9 against Pakistan at Lord's Bad light halts play as England fights to 248-9 against Pakistan at Lord's By FOSTER NIUMATA Associated Press LONDON (AP) --- England was 248-9 against Pakistan in the Lord's test when bad light prematurely ended a first day that began late on Thursday. Half-centuries by Jordan Cox and Jamie Smith underpinned a fighting total after England was threatened to be sunk for under 200. The start of play was delayed for 80 minutes by heavy morning rain and when returning captain Babar Azam won the toss Pakistan immediately took advantage of muggy conditions under cloud cover. England lost three wickets in the first hour, including linchpin Joe Root, and Harry Brook departed just before lunch. Cox held England together as Pakistan's fielding mixed the sloppy with the sublime. Pakistan dropped or missed three catches, the most costly involving Smith, whom wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan misjudged on 15. Smith went on to 61. The sublime were spectacular one-handed diving catches by Rizwan to remove opener Emilio Gay and by Salman Ali Agha, the captain in the first test but dropped for the second to accommodate Babar. Agha, subbing for an injured Imam-ul-Haq, cartwheeled at second slip to finish Cox on 55. Pace bowler Mohammad Abbas snatched the first three wickets in a lengthy morning eight-over spell, was unrewarded in the afternoon, and returned in the evening to bag Jofra Archer. Abbas was on the brink of beating teammate Mohammad Ali to a Lord's five-for when the umpires pulled out the light meter with an hour of scheduled play remaining. Play never restarted. Only 56 overs were bowled. ___ See AP's full cricket coverage here