Déjà vu of day two: England pin their hopes on Bairstow, Root

Visitors end day 130-3 and will need the Yorkshire pair to dig deep on day five

DUBAI:

Joe Root made a half-century as England rallied to 130-3 at the close of the fourth day of the second Test on Sunday, still 360 runs behind Pakistan after Younus Khan had made a swaggering 31st Test century.

Root, 59 not out, put on 102 runs with Ian Bell (46), the duo’s second innings defiance giving the tourists hope of forcing an improbable draw. Pakistan skipper Misbahul Haq had declared in the early afternoon on 354-6 to set England a daunting target of 491.

Batting for a second time, England appeared as if they cared little for the scoreboard and were simply aiming to get through potentially more than 140 overs without losing their 10 wickets.

Pakistan were similarly focused on taking wickets, positioning four slips as Misbah began with an all-seam attack of Wahab Riaz and Imran Khan Jr.

Pakistan declare on 354-6, England need 491 to win

Moeen Ali (1) lasted just 15 balls in another miserable outing for the novice opener — his series average is now just 12 — after a thick edge carried to Younus at second slip off Imran.

In came Bell to partner skipper Alastair Cook, who appeared to be struggling with an injury that left him labouring between the wickets. Cook’s torment was soon over on 10 when his attempted sweep off Yasir Shah gave Wahab a catch at deep backward square as England stumbled to 19-2.

Misbah switched from seam to spin and then back to pace, but Bell and Root defended adroitly. Root brought up his 15th Test half-century, and third of the series, with a four past third man. Bell then tried to leave a Zulfiqar Babar delivery, but the ball hit his glove and carried to Younus.

Pakistan, who have never lost a series in the UAE, their adopted home since 2009, began the morning on 222-3. They suffered an early setback, however, when Misbah (87) thumped James Anderson’s slower delivery to Cook at mid-off for a comfortable catch.

Raring Wahab Riaz happy to lead Pakistan attack

But Younus was unruffled and Pakistan’s record run-scorer registered his 10th hundred in the UAE with a cut for four as Pakistan reached lunch without further loss.

England were lethargic in the afternoon, their sluggish movement in the field allowing Pakistan to score freely. That slowness lulled the hosts into complacency, however, as Younus (118) lofted a top edge from Adil Rashid beyond the bowler’s head and Moeen made a sprawling catch. Asad Shafiq (79) was then trapped leg before wicket by Moeen as Pakistan scored 43 runs in seven post-lunch overs. The highest total England have ever chased down in the fourth innings is 332, against Australia in 1928-29.

Teaching himself to Misbah-ave

Younus expects resistance

Younus warned England can foil Pakistan’s victory bid in the second Test, adding that the match will not be over quickly.

“I have always said that this is not an England team which succumbs to the spin,” said Younus. “This is a changed England team which has the capablity to fight so it will be hard work for us.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26^th, 2015.

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