Pakistan v England 1st Test Day 3 Review: Cook leads England’s fantastic reply

Pakistan v England 1^st Test Day 3 Review: Cook leads England’s fantastic reply: Alastair Cook became the 4^th highest Test scorer among England captains in only his 39^th match as skipper as England took full advantage of a docile Abu Dhabi track to give Pakistan a tit for tat by reaching 290 for 3 at stumps on day 3 of the 1st Test. Cook completed a full set of centuries in every region in which he has played Test cricket as he and Ian Bell, with contrasting style and confidence ensured Pakistan strived hard without much reward. The only wicket to fall in the day was Moeen Ali who departed after a fine century stand with Cook.

It was pretty clear at the end of day 2 that only Pakistan could have forced a win. But that required a dedicated bowling effort and some assistance from the fielders. None of that was on display during the third day. Pakistan began proceedings with a combination of left-arm spin and left-arm pace as Zulfiqar Babar and Wahab Riaz set about testing the English openers. Batting with exemplary resolve that has been the hallmark of his greatest feats of endurance in an England shirt, Cook built quietly on his overnight score of 39.

With a couple of nicely timed boundaries Cook reached his 45^th Test fifty soon. There were no signs of the pitch deteriorating and Cook and Ali looked largely untroubled. England reached 100 as Misbah threw the ball to part time spinner Asad Shafiq in a desperate move.

Imran Khan gave Pakistan the much-sought after opening wicket when he prized Moeen Ali out with a delivery angled across the left-hander. His 35 came off 131 balls and ensured Ian Bell had a fantastic platform to build upon.

The right-hander though, was subject to a strict examination from Zulfiqar Babar, who troubled him with spin and bounce. Zulfiqar should have had his man when Bell offered a sharp bat-pad chance but Shan Masood shelled it. It was in a sense a huge relief for Bell whose twin drops were crucial to the huge Pakistan total. Before lunch he managed just 1 off 27 balls.

The English skipper Cook completed his 28^th Test ton soon in the second session. With this he now has 8 hundreds in Asia in 37 innings with an average close to 60. The innings was a great display of courage, concentration and control.

Soon after getting to his ton, Cook survived a LBW review against Babar. The skipper, on 101, failed to connect a sweep. Luckily for him, the ball-tracker showed that it was missing leg stump.

By Tea England had motored along to 197 for 1 with Bell and Cook already adding 81 to the partnership. The duo tried nothing fancy and milked the Pakistan bowling. Cook used the cut and pull, judiciously allied to his usual caution outside off stump and his eye for a nurdle off the pads.

At the opposite end Bell showed immense determination and also discovered some fluency in the final session. Just when he was looking good for more, the 165-run stand was broken. Bell played a loose drive and ended up presenting a catch to backward point.

Mark Wood came in as the night watchman and soon chopped one on to his stumps. England ended the day at 290 for 3, Cook and Root holding fort.

Overview of the day       

Alastair Cook dead-batted Pakistan as England launched a deadly fightback. An unbeaten 168 is the perfect way to lead by example. He’s set the tone for the rest of the series as well with a big knock first up. Wahab Riaz was the best bowler on view, bowling fast till late in the day and picking up vital wickets. Pakistan are for sure missing Yasir Shah.

What can we expect on Day 4

Tomorrow will be an interesting day if the Pakistani bowlers find some assistance and for England, a lot will depend on Root and the middle order. Someone has to capitalize on the start given to ensure that they don’t fall too behind in the first innings.

Stats of the day

1. Cook is only behind Kallis in the list of most runs scored by non-Asian batsmen in the sub-continent.

2. Moeen Ali played his part and helped England in posting its 6th 100-run opening partnership since the retirement of Andrew Strauss in 2012.

Brief Scores:

Day 3 –

England 1^st innings – 290/3 110 overs (Cook 168*, Bell 63; Riaz 2-79) trail by 233 runs

Pakistan 1^st innings – 523/8 (dec)