Pakistan v England 2nd Test day 2 review: Honours even after riveting day's play

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Alastair Cook and Joe Root
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(© MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images)

Pakistan v England 2nd Test day 2 review: Honours even after riveting day’s play: England had a great chance of pressing home the advantage after allowing Pakistan to add 98 runs to their overnight total and dismissing them for just 378. But the late wicket of last Test’s double centurion Alastair Cook has ensured the game remains in poetic balance on what was an enthralling day of Test cricket. This was in complete contrast to the first day where the pitch was being described as a belter and provided pretty uni dimensional display of skills.

The visitors bowled well but were also helped by some irresponsible shot selection by the Pakistan lower order. The hosts still have a chance to take the ascendency if they take crucial early wickets tomorrow.

Misbah-ul-Haq was unbeaten on a fantastic ton and along with Shafiq looking to take the hosts to a total of over 450. England were not completely out of it and the first session was always going to be crucial as they had a relatively newer ball at their disposal. And England made the new cherry talk as soon as the proceedings began with Broad dismissing Misbah without any addition to his overnight 102. He set him up with a succession of short deliveries and then slipped a full one in to catch the batsman unaware and rapped on the pads. The review didn’t help as the on-field decision stood.

After a brilliant first spell from Broad and Wood, Pakistan’s batsmen found run-making a little easier with both Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed hitting the gaps on the field with increasing frequency. In the process, Shafiq helped himself to a half-century even as the Pakistan total crept past the 300-run mark.

Just when it looked like Sarfraz had survived the early innings nerves and settled in for a big innings, he attempted one shot too many against Moeen Ali and had to pay. Ali picked up another wicket in the next over when Wahab Riaz stepped out and tried to send the cherry to Abu Dhabi. The loss of wickets though didn’t have any bearing on the scoring rate. The pitch was turning and there was ample giveaways that Pakistan might not need a score in excess of 500.

As Yasir departed even 400 looked a distant dream. Shafiq was nearing a milestone but being struck by a Wood delivery on the knees was in severe pain. He then attempted to hit out against the pacer and was caught at mid-wicket. This also robbed him off breaking Gary Sobers’ record of 8 centuries at number six in Tests. Pakistan were eventually bowled out for 378.

As the English openers came out they had momentum on their side. But the visitors failed to capitalize, quickly slipping to 14-2 in the face of some high quality fast bowling from Pakistan’s new-ball bowlers, Wahab Riaz and Imran Khan. While Wahab bowled a typically high-octane opening spell, Shaan Masood deserved half of Moeen’s wicket taking a superb reflex catch. Bell was done in by an away moving ball by Imran Khan.

In an enthralling battle with Joe Root, Wahab troubled the star batsman on more than one occasion and pinged him back with a succession of bouncers. Once Cook and Root survived the opening spells from the pacers, the going was always going to get easier. Zulfiqar and Yasir Shah were negotiated without much trouble. Cook was lucky on one occasion when the bails refused to dislodge despite the ball striking the stumps.

He completed his 45th Test match fifty straight after the Tea interval to strengthen England’s position. The 100 run stand between England’s two form players also provided the visitors a semblance of control.

Yasir Shah broke the ominous looking partnership dismissing the English skipper. Cook was on the back foot looking to clip the ball, but it turned appreciably catching the inside edge onto pad and straight to leg-slip. This was a major relief for Pakistan as Cook was settling in for another marathon knock.

As Johny Bairstow arrived the Pakistani spinners started to sense an opening. Nothing of that was to transpire though. Root after getting to his fifty batted cautiously with his partner and frustrated Shah and Babar. England finished the day at 182/3.

The match is beautifully poised and as the purists say the third day might decide which way the pendulum is likely to swing. It’s all delicately balanced right now and both teams can argue about having their noses ahead.

Overview of the day

It turned out to be a good contest between bat and ball. England showed pluck and determination to bowl out the hosts. After a bit of wobble, Cook and Root seemed to be guiding the tourists to safe waters, before the former was dismissed. Certainly there’s been more pace and turn afforded by this pitch than the previous Test. It’s set up nicely for tomorrow and the first-innings lead could prove decisive.

Brief Scores

Day 2

1st innings:

Pakistan 378 (118.5 ov) (Misbah 102; Wood 3-39)

England 182/3 (51 overs) (Root 76*; Imran Khan 1-26)

England trail by 196 runs with 7 wickets in hand

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