When England were whitewashed by Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates three years ago it was, according to Stuart Broad, the “flip of a coin” as to which shot the batsmen played next, such was their indecision against the spinning ball.
But one Test and two days into the current series – a far more even contest than in 2012, it would appear – Alastair Cook’s men are equipping themselves better, with the captain and deputy, Joe Root, the fulcrums of a less experienced team.
The pair combined for a stand of 113 on the second day in Dubai, with Root kicking on after his captain’s dismissal for 65 to reach the close unbeaten on 76. England, on 182 for three, crept past the follow-on before bad light stopped play, after Pakistan’s 378 all out.
Broad, who kickstarted a morning in which six Pakistan wickets were claimed for 96 runs by removing the day one centurion Misbah-ul-Haq lbw in the first over, claims Root belies his 24 years and bats with the authority of an elder statesmen that sets an example to the rest.
“From a bowler’s point of view, you can feel quite relaxed when Joe is out there batting,” Broad said. “He doesn’t look like he’s panic-sweeping and dancing [down the pitch] because he’s not sure what to do. Last time we were here it was like tossing a coin as to which shot we would play.”
“I think Joe has brought a lot of calmness to the batting unit – and Cookie, of course, he played beautifully today – that the young guys can feed off. He’s as good a player of spin as I’ve played with. He’s very natural, he doesn’t look or rushed, he just knows his areas to score.”
Root, second in the world batting rankings, did not make his England debut until late 2012 in the fourth Test against India in Nagpur. Broad revealed that the former team director, Andy Flower, was so taken by his first look at the Yorkshireman against the spinners that he was nearly plunged in straight away.
“Joe has got an old head on young shoulders. Even before he played a Test match in India, Flower wanted him in the side straight away, just on first viewing. Tomorrow, hopefully, will be his day. If he can be the guy we bat around, and a few others make half-centuries, we should make 400-plus. Do that and we put Pakistan under a lot of pressure.
“I don’t think that the pitch will play the same as Abu Dhabi, the turn will become more throughout the game. You always say it but the next hour is the most important and Saturday morning is probably the biggest hour in the game. Get 400-plus on a deteriorating wicket and we’ll be in the box seat.”
Pakistan’s bowling coach, Mushtaq Ahmed, blamed the lower order collapse for failing to capitalise on their dominant first day but rated the match as “50-50” after two days. He was, however, impressed with the leg-spinner, Yasir Shah, in his first bowl of the series following a back injury.
Yasir, who was talked up before the series after taking 61 wickets in 10 Tests, claimed the wicket of Cook, caught at leg-slip, and has one for 59 after 17 overs. For Mushtaq, a former wrist-spinner himself, the threat of the 29-year-old grows greater as the pitch crumbles. England, unless they can post a big first-innings total today, will bat last on it.
“I am very happy with Yasir and he started very well after injury,” said Mushtaq, who previously coached England’s spinners. “The back is still stiff but he’s landing the ball well and bowling with good pace. This is a good sign as his spin-bowling coach. The wicket will go, Yasir is getting lots of spin and hopefully it will help towards the end.”
