Pakistan dominate third day all the way

Dubai: England began the third day of the second Test aiming to score 400 runs in their first innings, but it was Pakistan who ended the day closing in on a lead of over 400 runs on Saturday. It was hence a great day of Test cricket where the battle between ball and bat was intense at the Dubai International stadium.

Paceman Wahab Riaz and wrist spinner Yasir Shah placed Pakistan on top through a stunning bowling display that saw England’s last seven wickets of the first innings crash for just 36 runs and help their team gain a decisive 136 runs first innings lead.

A fighting unbeaten 139-run partnership between the two veterans of Pakistan cricket, skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan put Pakistan in their second innings are 222 for three - having swelled their lead to 358 runs with seven wickets in hand. It was the 14th century partnership between Younis and Misbah.

After opener Mohammad Hafeez hit a quick 51 runs off 76 balls with six boundaries and two sixes, Younis, who went past the 9000 runs mark in Test cricket was unbeaten on 71 while Misbah, who looks set for centuries in both innings, was unconquered on 87.

Riaz, with his accurate left-arm pace picked 4 for 66, while Yasir through his teasing leg-spin bagged four for 93.

The England batsmen, who were aiming for a big first innings lead, batted in a shocking manner with their batsmen committing a series of mistakes in the face of hostile Pakistan bowling. The deficit of 196 runs at the start of the day demanded huge concentration and correct shot selection - both of which were sorely lacking.

The first to go was the well-set Joe Root on 88, driving loosely to get a big nick to wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmad off Riaz. This was the breakthrough that Pakistan needed and Riaz went for the kill. Jonny Bairstow, on 40, would have followed had television replays to a Younis catch at slip off Yasir Shah been clearer. However, Ben Stokes soothed Pakistan’s disappointment at not getting a favourable verdict by getting out quickly for four runs by poking at a rising delivery from Riaz outside the off-stump for wicket-keeper to take his second consecutive catch.

With half the side back in the pavilion with England still 166 runs behind, Jos Buttler made it more comfortable for Pakistan by swishing at a Riaz delivery to be caught behind for duck. Next man Adil Rashid top-edged to cover point as if he wanted to gift a wicket for Yasir’s incisive bowling. Bairstow too surrendered to the increasing pressure and fell leg before to Yasir’s slider for 46. The same over, Yasir made Mark Wood edge to Younis in slips. James Anderson offered a looping catch to wicket-keeper Sarfraz off Imran Khan to allow him to join the list of five catches in an innings by a wicketkeeper.

Pakistan needed a good start from the openers but Shan Masoud, for the fourth innings in a row, surrendered his wicket to James Anderson by edging to the wicket-keeper for one. Shoaib Malek too followed after playing just 13 balls, bowled by a Wood delivery.

Younis walked in, clapped all the way to the crease by the fans. He quickly settled down and with Hafeez added 67 runs for the third wicket. Going for a drive off Wood, Hafeez edged to Stokes at slips.

Misbah batted the same way he did in the first innings - with the calmness and concentration needed to swell his team’s lead.