Pakistan v England: First Test, Day Three - Captain Cook's century leads England fightback
At the end of Day Three of the first Test between Pakistan and England at Abu Dhabi, England sit in a relatively comfortable position as they ended the day at 290-3. England was boosted by their captain's scintillating unbeaten knock of 168.
England had finished Day Two on 56-0, with both batsmen getting through to the end of the day easily. Moeen Ali continued to bat with the same resilience that he did on Day Two. He got out for 35 runs, which he scored off 131 balls, off the bowling of fast bowler Imran Khan.
However, Alastair Cook and Ali were involved in the first hundred-run partnership since Cook's and Adam Lyth's 177-run stand against New Zealand in the summer. This will be something that the England management will be delighted about, having struggled to find a good start in Test matches.
But, the fact that the pitch is a dead one will have been a huge factor in the English batsmen not facing many troubling deliveries. The Pakistani bowlers toiled all day without getting much fruit for their efforts.
Cook and Ian Bell were involved in a 165-run partnership until Bell lost his concentration and gave Wahab Riaz something to cheer about the bowler put in a lot of hardwork.
This must have given the bowler the confidence that he needed and in his very next over night-watchman Mark Wood was clean bowled as the English player was caught in the crease.
The England captain batted effortlessly all day, battling the heat and humidity. He scored his 28th Test century, a century which exuded class and elegance. To say that the England captain is back in form might be too early to tell. However, the ease with which Cook batted is proof of the fact of his batting abilities.
Cook led the charge for England, helping his team give Pakistan a ‘taste of their own medicine’. The match result might be a foregone conclusion, but it won't hold back Cook and Co. from wanting to pile on runs and even take a lead.
With Cook at the crease tomorrow will be England's best batsman – Joe Root. Pakistan will have their task cut out in attempting to get the young batsman out. Both Cook and Root will hope that the pitch remains the same as they trail Pakistan by 233 runs.
The pitch at the Zayed Stadium was one that was supposed to be good for spinners. This Test became one in which no wicket was picked up by spinners for the longest time, when the 703rd spin delivery was bowled in the final session of the game.
Pakistan will be hoping that Riaz can continue to bowl aggressively and get some early wickets tomorrow to put the visitors on the back foot.
Brief Scores:
Pakistan 523/8d (Malik 245, Shafiq 107, Hafeez 98; Stokes 4-57, Anderson 2-42)
England 290/3 (Cook 168*, Bell 63; Riaz 2-79)