England beat Pakistan by 9 wickets

Hosts England cruised to an emphatic nine-wicket win over Pakistan in the second test at Edgbaston today to take a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.



Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott each scored an unbeaten 53 to guide England past a modest victory target of 118 with a minimum of fuss in the afternoon session of the fourth day.



England have now won six straight tests as the team gears up for the defence of its Ashes crown in Australia, which starts in November.



Although the tourists had threatened a dramatic comeback yesterday when they recovered from 82 for 5, inspired by Zulqarnain Haider's 88 and 50 from Saeed Ajmal, the overnight pair of Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul added just today as Pakistan were bowled out for 296.



The innings ended after the 11th ball of the day, when Asif was caught at gully by Kevin Pietersen off Stuart Broad, who finished with figures of 2 for 66.



Graeme Swann was England's leading bowler, with test-best figures of six for 65.



Mohammad Aamer one for 31 was the only Pakistan bowler to take a wicket in England's second innings, bowling the out-of-form Alastair Cook for four.



Final scores in the match are Pakistan 72 and 296, England 251 and 118 for 1.