Pakistan rode on half centuries from Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf and Shahid Afridi to reach a comfortable 300 for four against England at close on the first day of the second test yesterday in Faisalabad.

Inzamam (80 not out) and Shahid Afridi (67 not out) had put on 99 runs for the fifth wicket to boost the innings after Yousuf scored a superb 78 before falling to a contentious caught and bowled by Ian Bell.

Yousuf stood his ground for a while after his drive was picked up low by Bell and TV replays suggested the ball may have kissed the ground as the catch was completed.

Umpires Darrell Hair and Simon Taufel at square leg did not consult the TV umpire and Bell's appeal for a catch was upheld.

Yousuf had posted a 128 runs stand with his captain to help Pakistan recover from a precarious 87 for three at lunch on a placid pitch after the home side won the toss.

Inzamam scored his 42nd half-century while Afridi got his seventh. Play was called off nine overs early due to bad light.

Pakistan lead the three-test series 1-0.

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