Manchester, Aug 6 (TIWN) Early Tea was taken on Day 1 of the first Test between England and Pakistan at Old Trafford on Wednesday, thus putting a halt on Babar Azam's charge. Pakistan's no.4 was on 52 off 71 balls at Tea his partnership of 78 runs with opener Shan Masood (45 off 134 balls) swinging the momentum the visitors' way in the second session.

Pakistan came into the post-lunch session having lost Masood's opening partner Abid Ali and captain Azhar Ali in the first session. Babar got off the mark in the second session with a four off the first ball he faced from James Anderson.

Babar hardly ever looked fussed throughout his free flowing innings in the second session. England had a chance at breaking the partnership when Masood got a feather touch on a delivery that spun away from off stump from Dom Bess. Jos Buttler however failed to hold on to it and Masood's vigil continued.

Two overs later, Babar got to his half century in just 70 balls. Only one ball could be bowled by Jofra Archer in the over after that before the umpires called the players off due to bad light. Rain soon followed and early Tea was called.