Pakistan 282-6 against England at first day close

While Amir has featured in one-day internationals and the World Twenty 20 since his comeback, his return to Lord’s has brought the debate over whether he should have been given a second chance back into sharp focus.

Pietersen said devaluing the sport which is one’s livelihood is like breaking the 11th and 12th commandments of the Bible.

Misbah added: “We will concentrate on our strengths and forget about who’s playing and who’s not”. “There can be no way back”, he said. He is verbal. He lets you know he is bowling at you.

This match will go with the neck to neck competition and it is expected that there will be a ideal competition between the ball and bat.

“I think that’s probably harsh”, said Root when asked if England’s middle order is a work in progress. (Trevor Bayliss and Alastair Cook) will realise that riling him is not a good option.

“All our batsmen are really playing well”.

“But as a bowler he has the power”.

The tourists were reduced to 134-4 when debutant Jake Ball (1-51) took his first Test wicket, but had to wait until Woakes (4-45) ended a 148-run fifth-wicket stand by getting rid of Asad Shafiq (73) with three overs to spare. Incidentally, Amir’s last Test, in August 2010, was at the same venue when he took 6 for 84 in the first innings.

Amir proved his form by bagging four wickets in the Pakistan’s first tour match against Somerset at Taunton last week.

England has rested fast bowler James Anderson for the opening Test of the four-match series and 25-year-old paceman Jake Ball will be making his Test debut.

The 33-year-old went through his paces in the nets along with Ben Stokes, who is also closing in on a full return having played as a batsman only for Durham since knee surgery.

Pakistan fielded three left-arm quicks on Thursday (today) in Amir, Wahab Riaz and Rahat Ali, with leg-spinner Yasir Shah completing a four-man attack.

Captains Alastair Cook and Misbah ul Haq play a vital role in batting department for both the teams.

Meanwhile, England is looking favourite to win this match, keeping in mind the Root and Bairstow factor.

“If he thinks it is just trash talk then hats off to him”.

In the meantime, the team manager Intikhab Alam has claimed that Amir is mentally strong.

England captain Alastair Cook, who played in the infamous 2010 match, has always been an advocate of a “zero tolerance” approach to fixing.

England have also made a change to their batting line-up, with Gary Ballance surprisingly recalled and Yorkshire team-mate Joe Root promoted to number three. England were victorious 9 times, Pakistan won 8 times and 6 times series was drawn. “Our bowling is good and we have the ability to bowl out the team twice”.

“There are no nerves (yet)”, said Misbah.