Pakistan v England 1st Test Day 2 Review: England on the mat after Malik’s double

Pakistan v England 1st Test Day 2 Review: England on the mat after Malik’s double: Pakistan took a firm grip of the Abu Dhabi Test after making a huge 500 plus total on day 2. The proceedings were all about the Malik-Shafiq partnership as the duo added a record 248 for the 5th wicket to deny the visitors a wicket as late as the 1st over after tea.

By that time Malik had already made a Test best of 245 in his return venture to the whites after 5 years. Asad Shafiq made a fabulous century and continued his amazing run in Test cricket. The English openers negotiated the last hour well as the tourists went to stumps at 56 without loss.

On a hot and sultry day in Abu Dhabi, England were always up against it once Shoaib Malik was set. And the classy right hander got an able partner in Shafiq. The English tweakers Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali were rendered ineffective and will need to come up with a better performance if England are to put up any challenge strong Pakistani batting in the rest of the series.

The day started with Alastair Cook hoping for some magic with the second new ball. But the track was offering no assistance. After seeing off the opening burst from Broad and Anderson, Shoaib Malik started milking England’s change bowlers Mark Wood and Rashid. The leggie was proving way too expensive for the visitors’ liking. Malik soon reached 150 as Mark Wood tried his best with the short balls.

The going continued to get tough for England as Asad Shafiq helped himself to a half-century to pile on the misery for England. Even the around the wicket strategy didn’t work for the spinners. England conceded 103 runs in the morning session.

As expected the English switched to run saving mode in the second session. Stuart Broad realized that bowling quick wasn’t going to reap rewards and soon started targeting the stumps. Shafiq and Malik were enjoying their stay as the total crossed 400.

Malik, playing his first Test in over five years, completed his maiden double-ton in Test cricket when he steered Jimmy Anderson through the vacant region behind gully. The reactions were calm as ever even after getting to such a significant milestone. That was the hallmark of this innings. Yes the pitch had no demons but double centuries do not come everyday. In the next over, Asad Shafiq completed his 8th Test century. It got to a point where Anderson and Broad had to resort to bowling off cutters and Ben Stokes bowled off spin.

Pakistan motored along to 499/4 at Tea. The last session brought some relief for Alastair Cook as Wood removed Shafiq in the first over. He missed a relatively straight ball straight up and was caught right in front of the stumps.

Having batted for nearly 5 sessions in the sapping heat of Abu Dhabi, Malik couldn’t take it anymore. Eventually he pulled a short ball from Stokes tamely to the mid-wicket fielder. He got a rousing applause from both the teams as he made his way to the Pavillion.

As Pakistan lost further wickets in their quest to add some quick runs, Misbah-ul-Haq declared the innings at 523/8. It was an innings which had Shoaib Malik stamped on it. Adil Rashid recorded the worst figures by a Test debutant while Stokes with 4 wickets was the most successful bowler. England had to face 23 overs before the close of day’s play and the openers Cook and Moeen Ali had a job at hand. To their credit they did it well and ensured England went to stumps with all the wickets intact.

Overview of the day

Looking at the broader picture, the day belonged to Shoaib Malik. This Test will belong to him whatever the result. He kicked on to register his first ever double-hundred. The English opening batsmen had an answer to most things thrown at them.

What can we expect on day 3

Pakistan have effectively ensured that they cannot lose the match from here. They now have a tired England team to bowl at on the third day. It is not going to be easy but England can take heart from the fact that the pitch is an absolute belter. Pakistan on the other hand clearly look depleted with the absence of Yasir Shah. The seamers will have to find a way to make some impact. Reverse swing could play a crucial factor.

Stats of the day

1. Pakistan have never lost a Test after scoring 500 in the first innings of a Test.

2. Poor Adil Rashid got an unwanted place in history. His figures of 34-0-163-0 are the worst by a debutant in Test history.

3. England’s spinners’ combined bowling figures – 70-3-302-0

Brief Scores – Day 2

Pakistan – 1^st innings – 523/8 (151.1 overs) dec. (Malik 245, Shafiq 107: Stokes 4-57)

England 1^st innings – 56/0 (21 overs)  (Cook 39*, Moeen Ali 15*)