MANCHESTER, England (AP) Alastair Cook celebrated his 50th test as England captain with a fluent century that helped his team reach 210-2 at tea in the second test against Pakistan on Friday.
Joe Root (87 not out) learnt quickly from his two reckless dismissals in the first test defeat at Lord's last week and put on 185 with Cook before Mohmmad Amir clean bowled the England captain for 105 on the stroke of the interval.
Cook, who won the toss and elected to bat on easy-paced wicket, hit 15 fours in nearly four hours as both batsmen negated Pakistan's spin threat of Yasir Shah, who is still seeking his first wicket after bowling 18 overs.
Pakistan fielded an unchanged side while England brought in fit-again James Anderson and all-rounder Ben Stokes.
