England and Pakistan played out a draw in the second Test at the Ageas Bowl.
The result was already all but confirmed with bad weather decimating the Test.
More rain prevented play starting until 15:20 BST, after which England reached 110-4 in reply to Pakistan’s 236 before the captains agreed to a draw at 18:05.
Zak Crawley made 53 and Dom Sibley 32 but fell in consecutive Mohammad Abbas overs. Ollie Pope was out for nine 15 minutes before the close.
Only 134.3 overs – less than a day and a half’s play – were possible in the match, the shortest Test in England since 1987.
England will take a 1-0 lead into the third and final Test, which begins on Friday at the same ground.
The low-key final day’s play was played in perfect, sunny conditions that were a far cry from the previous four.
Had there been more play, this could have been a fascinating match.
The final day was a mere formality but still, the action was watchable and the little play there was on previous days was thrilling.
England resumed on 7-1 on day five – in batting conditions greatly improved on the seamer-friendly previous days – and Crawley played with impressive intent given the situation.
The 22-year-old hit seven fours in reaching his third half-century in seven Tests. The frustration he showed after being trapped lbw playing across the line showed he wanted more runs to secure his place in the team more firmly.
Sibley was more sedate, as is his style, but it will be of concern that he was caught down the leg side. It is a form of dismissal that is becoming common for the opener.
With little to lose, Pakistan pushed for more wickets with attacking fields and caused England’s batsmen problems. Pope went back to a ball from leg-spinner Yasir Shah that skidded on and trapped him lbw.
