England open up commanding lead over Pakistan to edge closer to series-levelling victory

England have extended their lead to 489 as they close in on a series-levelling victory against Pakistan in their second Test at Old Trafford. On a day where rain interrupted play four times, the hosts ended the day 98-1 to bolster their considerable lead after the visitors were bowled out for 198.

Captain Alastair Cook made the controversial decision not to enforce the follow on despite that first-innings lead of 391.

England set a considerable target for Pakistan to chase after Joe Root racked up 254 runs on Saturday, while Chris Woakes took three wickets before the close of play that wiped out their top order.

Shan Masood (39) was first out Sunday morning after he was caught out by a wicked delivery from James Anderson. Asad Shafiq (4) followed shortly after the first rain break of the day when his wild swing straight up into the air left an easy catch for Alex Hales.

The visitors were reduced to 112-7 after Joe Root caught Sarfraz Ahmed's edge at second slip with Yasir Shah (1) soon following. Ben Stokes (2-39) and Chris Woakes (4-67) comfortably quelled the little fightback Pakistan offered with some impressive aggressive bowling but Misbah ul Haq and Wahab Riaz finally offered sterner resistance with the latter hitting 52 off 115 balls, before he was eventually caught on the midwicket boundary by Moeen Alli to close the innings.

Cook's decision not to enforce the follow on after tea that would have seen Pakistan bat again caught most by surprise and he and Alex Hales had barely got going before more rain forced the teams off at 11-0.

Play did not resume until almost 5:40pm [BST] only for the skies to open again just over half an hour later. Hales and Cook reached 68 as they dodged the showers until the Nottinghamshire opener edged behind off Mohammad Amir. Cook starts the fourth day on Monday unbeaten on 49 with Joe Root on 23.