'What is that': Cricket world erupts over 'weirdest' scenes

For the first time in 11 years, Fawad Alam and his extraordinary batting stance were back in the Test arena on the opening day of the second Test between England and Pakistan.

And needless to say fans were not ready for what they saw.

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Fawad was picked for his first Test in 11 years on Thursday as Pakistan called up an extra batsman at the expense of all-rounder Shadab Khan.

Coming in at No.6 with his side 4-117, Fawad stunned fans and commentators with a completely open batting stance.

In shades of West Indian great Shivnerine Chanderpaul, Fawad was facing front-on to the bowler as he waited for the ball, before turning side-on when it was delivered.

Unfortunately Fawad’s stay at the crease only last four balls, but not before the cricket community flocked to social media to discuss his unorthodox approach.

Fawad played his last Test in November 2009, but ten years, eight months, 17 days and 8348 first-class runs later he was finally back.

Facing Chris Woakes, Fawad blocked the first ball, left the next, played and missed the third, and was out lbw to the fourth.

England seamers star on rain-affected day

Meanwhile, Pakistan opener Abid Ali scored a half-century but England’s seam bowlers used the muggy conditions to their advantage to restrict the tourists to 5-126 at the close of a rain-hit day at the Rose Bowl.

The tourists chose to bat first and were fortunate not to lose more wickets as the bounce, movement off the seam and swing through the air in hot, overcast conditions was perfectly suited to England’s experienced seam attack.

Babar Azam (25 not out) and Mohammad Rizwan (4 not out) will resume on the second morning, seeking to rescue the innings in their bid to rebound from a three-wicket loss in the first Test.

Abid (60) was twice dropped at second slip as he rode his luck, before finally being snatched by Rory Burns in that position off the bowling of left-arm seamer Sam Curran, who came into the England side in the place of Jofra Archer.

Burns also caught visiting captain Azhar Ali (20) from the bowling of James Anderson (2-35), who had earlier trapped centurion from the first Test, Shan Masood (1), leg before wicket.

The slip-catching practice continued as Asad Shafiq (5) was well taken low down by Dom Sibley off Stuart Broad.

Pakistan were saved further loss of wickets with the conditions firmly in favour of the bowlers when the players left the field after more rain with only 45.4 overs bowled in the day.

This time it was for good as lightening lit up the gloomy evening sky.

England had earlier recalled batsman Zac Crawley for all-rounder Ben Stokes, who has withdrawn from the remainder of the three-match series for personal reasons.

with Reuters