Pakistan recover from batting collapse

Pakistan were left with a first innings lead of 96 after recovering from a batting collapse against Derbyshire on the second day of their three-day match on Wednesday.

Pakistan reached 262 all out in reply to Derbyshire's first innings total of 166, helped by a valuable last-wicket stand of 80 between Azhar Mahmood and Shoaib Akhtar.

At close, Derbyshire were 66 for two in their second innings.

Nathan Dumelow, a 20-year-old son of a local dairy farmer, took four wickets on his first-class debut, including Yousuf Youhana and Inzamam-ul-Haq, as Pakistan crashed from 101 for one to 182 for nine.

Dumelow hardly expected to be in the spotlight after skipper Dominic Cork proved he has made a full recovery from his back injury by bowling for the first hour of the morning, his longest spell since he made his comeback last month.

Cork gave Dumelow his chance shortly before lunch and after Imran Farat had hit his second ball for six, he had the left-hander caught at midwicket in his second over.

That was nothing compared to what followed at the start of the afternoon session as Youhana, Inzamam and Abdur Razzaq were snared in the space of 19 balls.

EXCELLENT EFFORT

Medium pacer Thomas Lungley also chipped in with three wickets as Pakistan struggled against an inexperienced Derbyshire attack.

Youhana miscued Dumelow to mid-off and Inzamam drove a return catch straight back to the bowler.

Razzaq was bowled on just his second ball by the off-spinner before Rashid Latif was bowled round his legs by Trevor Smith.

Faisal Iqbal played a forcing shot and was caught by Cork at second slip off Smith and Waqar Younis became Lungley's first victim when he was caught in the gully.

Saqlain Mushtaq was trapped leg before by Lungley and Shoaib's stubborn resistance was finally broken when he was caught at second slip to bring the Pakistan innings to a close at tea.

Dumelow bowled unchanged for 22 overs and although he tired towards the end, figures of 4-81 represented an excellent effort against such accomplished players of spin.

"I'm just glad I took the opportunity," Dumelow said. "I concentrated hard and I'm glad I didn't mess it up."

Cork said: "He is a wonderful talent and there are some good players of spin among those victims. Believe me, he can also bat as well."

However, there was trouble off the field when a small group of young Pakistan followers had to be escorted from the County Ground after bottles were thrown from a stand.

No one was hurt in the incident but Derbyshire's chief executive John Smedley said: "Only half a dozen were causing trouble but we are just sorry it's come to this."