Usman urges Pakistan to remain positive against England

Pakistan already trail by 195 runs and still need to take two more wickets in the first Test against England, but spinner Ali Usman has refused to write off the visitors’ chances.

The spinner believes the slowing pitch could work in Pakistan's favour, with a more positive and disciplined batting approach potentially allowing them to fight their way back into the contest and secure a favourable result.

"I think day-by-day the wicket is slowing down," Usman said. "It's slow already, it's not especially fast, but on the next three days it's going to take a lot more turn."

"In the batting, we'll try to take it as deep as possible and score as many runs as we can. Our approach should be positive with the bat. We need to take it session by session.

"Anything can happen. We're positive as a batting unit. We've scored runs in the West Indies and the warm-up game. Our batters are in form, so we hope they do well and we're able to salvage this match."

Ali Usman, playing in just his third Test match, claimed his maiden five-wicket haul to make a significant impact for Pakistan.

The 33-year-old got the big wickets of Harry Brook, Jordan Cox and Dan Lawrence, before striking twice in quick succession to dismiss Gus Atkinson and Ollie Robinson.

"Today, when I started bowling, it felt like the ball was gripping. It made me think there was something in it for the spinner. I tried to hit the right areas and that's where I got wickets." Usman said.

"I wanted to bowl within the stumps. If they got even a bit of room, they were scoring runs. Dan Lawrence was struggling a bit against spin. But Harry Brook uses his feet very well, so he was harder to bowl to. That's how I ended up taking the wicket I did."

Despite recording a personal best, Usman acknowledged that Pakistan’s bowling performance was not up to the mark overall.

The visitors had ideal conditions to make an early impact on Day 2, with rain washing out the first session and much of the second. When play eventually resumed, the action began under dark skies and artificial lights, with the ball moving around.

Pakistan’s bowlers managed to induce a few early misses, but their inconsistency allowed England’s batters to settle in and build their total.

"Our bowling was not up to standard today, including myself. I took five wickets, but we've given away too many runs as a bowling unit. We'll work on our mistakes and try not to repeat them."