Pakistan v England 3rd Test Day 5 Review: Pakistan breaks visitors back to clinch the series

Pakistan v England 3rd Test Day 5 Review: Pakistan breaks visitors back to clinch the series: It was getting dark at Sharjah as England danced to a disturbing rhythm at the end of 4^th days play, after they lost two quick wickets.

For the second time in the match, Moeen was clueless to the off-spin of Shoaib Malik, a review failing to save him after being caught on the crease by one that would have skidded on to hit leg stump.

Malik, on his farewell Test appearance after announcing his retirement at the close of the third day, then breached Ian Bell’s defences in his next over.

With 238 more to win on the final day, England’s pursuit of 284 looked distant.

Yasir Shah trapped Joe Root leg before early in the morning, the ball pinned him in front! Root consulted with Cook but they decide not to review. Root had to pay the price for being adjacent. England were 48-3, as James Taylor walked in.

England continued a trend of losing wickets at the start of every session, as Zulfiqar Babar got the better of James Taylor with one that clipped the willow to the slips. Captain Cook stood firm, as England were 4 down in 27 overs.

Jonny Bairstow joined skipper Cook in the middle, as Pakistan were pinching in at an emphatic victory. Both Babar and Yasir Shah tossed up the cherry, bowled flighted ones to push the batsman back and create opportunities.

Jonny Bairstow went for the sweep early on, missing the line completely; while the umpire’s finger was up and clear.

Samit Patil didn’t help matters either, as he registered a golden duck, before getting trapped on the pads by Babar.

Adil Rashid and Alastair Cook then proceeded for the repairing act, as captain cook smashed the tossed up ones to the fence and rallied singles to keep the scoreboard ticking.

The 7^th wicket stand of 49 runs came to an end, with Rashid getting out to a beauty from Rahat Ali.

Rashid did play the second fiddle to Cook, having spent 78 minutes at the crease; facing 72 balls.

Pakistan sensed victory, while Alastair Cook made his way to a fighting fifty from 142 balls, with 2 boundaries.

Wickets kept on tumbling at the other end, while the skipper batted with intent.

Stuart Broad played a short cameo of 20 runs from 23 balls, courtesy couple of stroke-filled boundaries; before Yasir Shah got the lanky fast bowler’s wicket. Yasir Shah picked up his third wicket, while visitors lost their 8^th.

The conditions didn’t encourage much of an assistance, but both Babar and Yasir made full use of England’s protective mindset.

Pakistan needed two more wickets to finish England off and complete a 2-0 win that would lift them to No. 2 in the ICC Test rankings, and it was Malik, who is playing his last match made it memorable by picking up the fighting skipper’s wicket.

Cook was back to the pavilion after fighting out under the hot tub for hours against a pumped up Pakistani pack.

Pakistan wrapped up the proceedings soon, as Yasir Shah got Stokes stumped.

The hosts beat England by 127 runs, as the visitors surrendered at 156. Yasir Shah picked up 4 vital wickets, while Malik chipped in with 3.

Pakistan clinched an eventful Test Series with numerous phenomenal performances on its back and now moves to no.2 spot in the ICC rankings.

Brief Scores:

England 306/10 and 156/10 ( Cook 63; Yasir 4/44; Shoaib Malik 3/26)

Pakistan 234/10 and 355/10 (M Hafeez 151; SCJ Broad 3/44)

Pakistan won by 127 runs

Man of the Match: Mohammad Hafeez

Man of the Series: Yasir Shah