Tall order: Well-Rooted England bat Pakistan into a corner

Hosts in commanding position as skipper Cook declares on 589-8 on day two

KARACHI: Former Test batsman Shoaib Mohammad has said it will take Pakistan immense effort to avoid a follow-on after England declared on 589-8 in 152.2 overs, with number three Joe Root scoring a classy 254 at Old Trafford, Manchester yesterday.

Shoaib insisted that it will be important for Pakistan’s top-order to give it their all to avoid piling pressure on the middle-order.

“For the first time on this tour, Pakistan are falling behind instead of ascending, so their determination will be sternly tested,” Shoaib told The Express Tribune.



“It will be really important for Pakistan for the top three batsmen to fire in the first innings, which will set the tone for others. When the middle-order sees that the top-order has put some runs on board, they will be motivated to fight to stay alive.”

The flawless Root, who played a grand knock of 254 off 406 deliveries with the aid of 27 boundaries, scored with utmost ease after England resumed the day on 314-4.

It was the 113-run fifth-wicket stand between Root and nightwatchman Chris Woakes that enabled England to build on their good work on day one.



Woakes was dismissed by Yasir after he had scored 58 off 104 balls with the help of a six and eight boundaries, while Root held on from the other end.

Ben Stokes came in and played a 34-run cameo, laced with five boundaries, before he fell to Wahab Riaz trying to pull the rising delivery.

Johnny Bairstow joined Root and the duo added another 100-run stand as they accumulated 106 runs together as a tired-looking Root was dismissed while trying to hit Wahab after his exquisite innings.

Bairstow, who chipped in with an 87-ball 58 studded with seven fours, departed 12 balls later and England skipper Alastair Cook decided to declare the innings.



Shoaib further said that at least three to four players will have to step up just to avoid the follow-on.

“Instead of the usual one or two players striving to save Pakistan from the embarrassment of being dismissed for a low score, at least three or four players will have to step up for us,” he said.

“A lot would depend on how players like Mohammad Hafeez, Younus Khan and Misbahul Haq, because they can help others to play around them. Pakistan allowed England to score too many runs; I feel England’s batting isn’t that great as they are mostly depending on Cook and Root, and fortunately for the hosts, both played brilliantly,” concluded Shoaib.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2016.

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