Ali packs a punch against England

His Test-best 92 put Pakistan in a strong position against England at the close of second day of the third Test.

LONDON: Azhar Ali’s Test-best 92 put Pakistan in a strong position against England at the close of the second day of the third Test at The Oval. And before stumps there was still time for Pakistan to dismiss England captain Andrew Strauss, who was caught off the bowling of left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer.

England closed on six for one in their second innings, 69 runs behind, with struggling opener Alastair Cook nought not out and nightwatchman James Anderson unbeaten on two.

Ali’s innings was the cornerstone of Pakistan’s 308, which gave them a first innings lead of 75.

Pakistan’s poor catching had been a key factor in their falling 2-0 behind in this four-match series.

But it was England who paid the price for missing a routine chance when Strauss, at first slip, put down Mohammad Asif when the number 11 was on four and Ali on 66.

Pakistan were then 278 for nine but, with Ali seizing on anything either over-pitched or short from Stuart Broad, the last-wicket pair added 38 runs.

The 25-year-old Ali’s second fifty in five matches at this level, after he made 51 in Pakistan’s three-wicket win over Australia at Headingley last month, was not a lone hand.

Veteran batsman and former captain Mohammad Yousuf marked his return to international cricket with a well-made 56 before he became Graeme Swann’s 100th Test wicket, having put on 69 with Ali.

Former captain Yousuf was playing his first Test since January following the overturning of an “indefinite ban” imposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board after he led the side on their winless tour of Australia.

But shortly before tea he drove too early at a Swann delivery and was caught and bowled to end a 108-ball stay featuring eight boundaries.

Umar Akmal elegantly late cut medium-pacer Paul Collingwood for four to give Pakistan a first innings lead.

But next ball, setting off for a single that was never on, he was run out by Eoin Morgan’s direct under-arm hit from cover for 38 featuring four fours and a straight six off Swann. Ali and Umar Akmal put on 57 for the sixth wicket. Kamran Akmal and Mohammad Aamer then both fell cheaply to Broad, bowling with the new ball.

Ali, on 62 when Asif came in, was left just short of a maiden Test hundred when the seamer drove Swann straight to Anderson at mid-off.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 20^th, 2010.