The International Cricket Council has written to the Pakistan board expressing concerns over the facilities at Peshawar's Arbab Niaz Stadium. Abbas

In the end, the Lord's pitch again proved too flat and England's approach too negative to launch the series with a positive result. Despite a few tense moments Pakistan had plenty to spare as they negotiated the 73 overs that Andrew Strauss offered them.

Heading into this Test, Andrew Strauss, England's third-choice captain, was determined to lead from the front. On the fourth day he backed words up with deeds and a century in his first match at the helm has guided them to a commanding advantage of 341

Bob Woolmer, Pakistan's coach, refused to accept that the first Test had slipped completely out of his side's reach, despite a century from England's captain, Andrew Strauss, that had established a healthy overnight

A fantastic hundred by Mohammad Yousuf helped Pakistan avoid the follow-on on the third day of the first Test at Lords. Yousuf led the way with an unbeaten 185 while his major allies were Inzamam and Akmal but England

Asif and Malik, who have been suffering from elbow problems, have returned home, Zaheer Abbas, the team manager, confirmed. Asif may return for the conclusion of the series if treatment eases his injury but Malik is ruled out for all the Tests.

Pakistan, Australia and South Africa will play in a triangular series at Abu Dhabi in September as preparation for the Champions Trophy to be played in India the following month. The tournament, which will have the teams play

The sign writer who etches the names on the Lord's honour boards will be earning overtime after Ian Bell became England's third century-maker which lifted England beyond the 500 mark and built on a career-best performance from Paul Collingwood.