Pakistan routed for 72

BIRMINGHAM, England (AP):

A combination of superb bowling and inept Pakistan fielding saw England take charge of the second Test at Edgbaston yesterday.

England reached 112-2 at stumps, a lead of 40 with eight first-innings wickets remaining, but only after Pakistan dropped four catches on day one.

"If we'd taken them, it could have been pretty even," Pakistan captain Salman Butt said.

Kevin Pietersen was not out on 36 at stumps, with Jonathan Trott unbeaten on 31, while Mohammad Asif took 1-23 and Mohammad Aamer claimed 1-36 for Pakistan.

Earlier, Pakistan were bowled out for 72, their lowest ever Test match score against England, as James Anderson took 4-20, while Stuart Broad claimed 4-38.

Umar Amin was Pakistan's top scorer with 23 after they won the toss and chose to bat despite difficult conditions.

"It was a positive move," Butt said. "I think this pitch will not change. Given these conditions, I think the ball will keep swinging so the idea was to put some runs on the board, but unfortunately things didn't go the way we wanted."

Winning the toss

Broad said they were glad Pakistan won the toss.

"We were going to bat," Broad admitted. "As a bowling group when there's that amount of cloud around, you're always maybe hoping you're going to lose the toss. We were pretty excited about the chance of getting out there."

Pakistan made two changes to the side that lost heavily in the first Test, with Zulqarnain Haider making his debut replacing keeper Kamran Akmal and spinner Danish Kaneria making way for Saeed Ajmal.

However, there was no place for former captain Mohammad Yousuf, who arrived in England less than 24 hours before the start of play, and Pakistan's lack of experience was painfully obvious.