Summary
This is still a tall order for England, with a full day remaining for Pakistan to tease out the remaining seven wickets, and the Root-Bell partnership broken just as it crept into triple figures. England will certainly need plenty more steel from their middle order than was in evidence in the first innings.
They have a chance, though – and that didn’t seem the case when a hobbling Alastair Cook fell for 10, and England were 19-2. At that stage, Pakistan may have been thinking of wrapping this up in four days, but Bell and Root’s stoic third wicket stand has kept things interesting.
Do join us tomorrow, when Simon Burnton and Vithushan Ehantharajah will be your guides. That’s all from me. Thanks for reading. Bye!
Stumps – England 130-3, requiring 361 runs to win
...but you can pretty much ignore that figure, because England are after the draw. Will they get there? Probably not.
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54th over: England 130-3 (Root 59, Bairstow 6) A little bit of crowd noise, would you believe, as Yasir takes on Bairstow in the day’s final over. Bairstow has 6 off 32, and continues his rearguard action, seeing out a fourth straight maiden as England stumble over the line.
53rd over: England 130-3 (Root 59, Bairstow 6) The penultimate over, and the tension is palpable, with a gaggle of fielders crowding Joe Root, who hangs in against Zulfiqar. One run in the last 36 balls after another maiden – and even when a looser delivery arrives, Root can only slap it straight to point.
52nd over: England 130-3 (Root 59, Bairstow 6) Yasir comes round the wicket, trying to use what little rough there is in the pitch – and he threatens Bairstow repeatedly, prompting a couple of curious, jerking leaves from the batsman. I don’t need to tell you it’s a maiden, but it’s all about getting to stumps unscathed for England.
51st over: England 130-3 (Root 59, Bairstow 6) Zulfiqar makes Root work to see out the over, with the batsman having to stay on the front foot to keep the spinner out, and sending a half-chance off his pad towards silly point. There will be three more overs for England to get through, and Yasir wants another go at Bairstow...
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50th over: England 130-3 (Root 59, Bairstow 6) A run! Root nudges a single off Yasir, putting Bairstow back on strike. The batsman slows things down between balls, wandering out of his crease, prompting theatrical gestures from Yasir, who must have missed the last hour in Abu Dhabi.
Steve Hall is still here: “it’s making this Sunday shift go a little more quicker despite England’s scoring rate...” You won’t see this kind of distracting, intriguing defence from the showboating likes of AB de Villiers.
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49th over: England 129-3 (Root 58, Bairstow 6) A slip, gully and silly point in place as Zulfiqar sizes up Bairstow, with Misbah making the not unreasonable assumption that his is an easier wicket than Root’s to take. Bairstow offers nothing in a maiden over. These last twenty minutes are going to be a grind, I won’t lie.
48th over: England 129-3 (Root 58, Bairstow 6) The clank of shutters you can hear is England shutting up shop. A maiden for Yasir, with Root blocking with aplomb, despite some occasional turn.
John Starbuck, for one, is already looking ahead: “With the consensus that Bairstow replaces Buttler as keeper and Ali drops back to 7 or 8 again, there’s only room for Hales or Taylor, not both, if Bell survives. In which case, with the opener’s slot the most urgent, it looks like Hales, doesn’t it? Unless, of course, Cook’s injury is much worse than advertised. Several days of speculation lie ahead...”
47th over: England 129-3 (Root 58, Bairstow 6) Eight overs and/or half an hour of play remaining today, and England will be mighty keen to get there without suffering further losses. Just two singles from the over, with Bairstow offering some unconventional defence, practically turning 180 degrees to avoid a shorter ball from Zulfiqar.
46th over: England 127-3 (Root 57, Bairstow 5) Root received some attention from the physio for a bad back as Bairstow made his way out, and he makes his way gingerly through another testing over from Yasir.
45th over: England 125-3 (Root 56, Bairstow 4) That’s a shame for Ian Bell, but the show must go on – and Jonny Bairstow is the new man at the crease. He wisely keeps his gloves well away from a bouncing delivery, before pummelling the ball away for four.
“Just settling down to join you for the rest of play” says Damien Clarke. “Sorry, I missed all that has gone before today, but I was at my wife’s graduation ceremony.” Excuses, excuses.
“One fellow spake a phrase that I shall use as many times as possible in the years to come. I think that ‘the transitory spawns of Irrelevance from central government’ is a beautiful way to describe our Lords and Masters, don’t you?”
Who was the compere, Len McCluskey?
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WICKET! Bell c Sarfraz b Zulfiqar 46
Bell’s doughty, 121-ball innings is over, as Zulfiqar finds some turn, and the ball catches Bell’s glove on the way through. Bruce Oxenford says no, but Misbah reviews, and the replays reveal all.
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44th over: England 121-2 (Bell 46, Root 56) The lights are on, and these two can just about see the fourth day finishing line on the horizon. Two milestones reached in the over – Root brings up his half-century with a gentle push wide of slip that runs for four, and the batsmen reach a century partnership with a couple more snaffled singles. An ugly over from Yasir, with ten runs coming from it.
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43rd over: England 111-2 (Bell 45, Root 49) Zulfiqar, who has got little joy out of this pitch today, offers another lukewarm over, which gleans just a hard-fought single for Root, as he dabs towards cover and belts down the track.
42nd over: England 110-2 (Bell 45, Root 48) Three byes as a full, floating delivery bounces beyond Bell and Sarfraz. That’s about all she wrote for that over, although Root pinches a couple of singles to surge ahead of Bell in the Race to 50.
As Steve Kinsler has pointed out (see over 27), AB de Villiers made 43 in 326 minutes against Australia last year, and also scored a 220-ball 33 in the draw at Adelaide in 2013. So I suppose you will see this kind of gritty defence from the showboating likes of AB de Villiers.
41st over: England 105-2 (Bell 45, Root 46) Root, who is also just 20 runs away from 3,000 career Test runs, is almost caught out by a rare bit of spin from Zulfiqar which nicks his inside edge but doesn’t carry to Sarfraz. Yasir Shah is returning to the attack...
40th over: England 104-2 (Bell 45, Root 45) With Wahab looking for an opening, Root waits, and waits, and waits, then finally seizes a chance to cut loose, smacking a square drive to the fence for four. Both batsmen five away from their fifty, and England are into triple figures. Crisis? What crisis?
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39th over: England 99-2 (Bell 45, Root 40) Bell has Zulfiqar’s number here, smothering a series of angled, full length balls into his stumps, then cutting a wider ball at the last moment for a couple.
Anyone out there? Don’t tell me you’ve called it a day, and have gone off to take part in fun activities? For shame.
38th over: England 97-2 (Bell 43, Root 40) There’s around an hour of play left today, and if Root and Bell can refocus quickly, they’ll be confident of remaining in situ until stumps. Bell almost falls at the very first hurdle, getting a thick edge that just misses his off stump.
Root spent most of the drinks break arguing with Wahab, who kicked the ball back from the outfield – it might come back to haunt him, with Wahab finding a bit of extra zip when Root comes to the crease. Root ducks and weaves efficiently enough to see out the over.
37th over: England 96-2 (Bell 42, Root 40) Zulfiqar’s nine overs have produced just 12 runs, although the primary objective – getting a wicket – has eluded him. He takes the final over before drinks, and after Root turns the first ball off his pads for a single, Bell – wait for it – goes on the defensive.
36th over: England 94-2 (Bell 41, Root 39) Root nicks a hasty single off Wahab, but with Bell on strike, the scoreboard ticks no further. Wahab is struggling to find the menace he offered in the first innings, but a shorter ball does kick up and whistle past Bell’s outside edge.
35th over: England 93-2 (Bell 41, Root 38) Root strikes a nicely-timed drive through the covers, but Shafiq does well to keep it from going all the way for four. Bell notches a single as the batsmen race towards half-centuries. Who will get there first? The tension is almost unbearable.
34th over: England 89-2 (Bell 40, Root 35) Wahab continues, and looks the most likely to dislodge this pairing. He’s yet to hit top gear, sending down a run of full, wide balls that Root watches as they fly by. He’s forced to play at a couple, pushing into the covers and then straight batting. It’s a maiden, bringing a shake of the head from Root, perhaps itching to add a few more runs.
These two have been at the crease so long, a Premier League manager has lost his job since Root came down from the pavilion...
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33rd over: England 89-2 (Bell 40, Root 35) Malik to Bell, who clips one off his hip to short leg – there’s plenty of noise from Sarfraz, but it bounced, and the fielder made a mess of it anyway. Bell sweeps into a gap at square leg for two, then adds a couple more as he edges towards a welcome half-century.
32nd over: England 85-2 (Bell 36, Root 35) Here comes Wahab, trying to put a stop to the serenity. First ball, he’s punished for an overstep, but gets a hint of reverse swing, with two slips and a gully in place. Root leaves a couple of angled deliveries, the sort that accounted for his wicket in the first innings, well alone.
31st over: England 84-2 (Bell 36, Root 35) Malik continues, despite leaking 21 runs from his three overs. Curious field placement from Pakistan, with the outfield fairly busy, allowing the batsmen to pick up singles. Root is finding his groove, reading the spin nicely – but with Bell back on strike, Malik gets one to dart back in, and it’s a whisker away from Bell’s outside edge!
30th over: England 81-2 (Bell 35, Root 33) Zulfiqar to Root, who drives into the covers for a single, then Bell, who doesn’t attempt anything so cavalier, defending stoutly until a fast, flat ball forces a hopeful appeal.
29th over: England 80-2 (Bell 35, Root 32) Shadows lengthening across the pitch, and England finding a bit of stability. If they can get to stumps with eight wickets still in hand, things will look a touch brighter. Root cuts sweetly to third man for four, ending a run of ten dot balls, then adds three more with a well-timed drive.
28th over: England 68-2 (Bell 35, Root 25) Zulfiqar to Bell, who blocks his way through another maiden. If you’re thinking about watching India v South Africa instead of this titanic defence, you need to have a look at yourselves.
27th over: England 68-2 (Bell 35, Root 25) Shoaib Malik gets another opportunity, his second over coming 13 overs after his first. A flurry of singles here as Bell and Root pass the half-century. You won’t find this kind of gritty defence from the showboating likes of AB de Villiers, let me tell you.
26th over: England 68-2 (Bell 32, Root 23) Zulfiqar to Root, who strolls through the over. A maiden, but no signs of a breakthrough. Surely Wahab will be on his way to the middle soon enough?
“13 runs in seven overs after tea. It’s almost like England have given up on victory” says Timothy Harnedy, admittedly before Bell cut loose. “Where has their sense of boundless, unfounded, optimism gone?”
25th over: England 68-2 (Bell 32, Root 23) Yasir goes short again, and Bell is waiting, legs akimbo, feet planted to smack him to the fence beyond point. England have been able to punish the shorter balls from Yasir, and Bell is on hand again with a mighty pull past mid on. Feel the wrath of the Eternal Sledgehammer.
24th over: England 60-2 (Bell 24, Root 23) That single keeps Root on strike, and he punches Zulfiqar’s first ball out to the boundary. Hafeez is after it, but gets in a tangle and sees the ball slither past him for four, much to the crowd’s amusement. A 41 partnership between Bell and Root, which is progress, I suppose.
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23rd over: England 54-2 (Bell 24, Root 17) Yasir to Root, who runs through the array of defensive shots – striding forward, pushing to cover, leaving the thing alone, and then moving nimbly to clip a rare googly off his thigh and out to midwicket.
22nd over: England 53-2 (Bell 24, Root 16) Sarfraz startles the sleepier members of the crowd with a loud appeal as Bell almost gets caught in his crease by Zulfiqar. Bell finds some room next ball, opening up to push the ball through off side. It brings up a couple of runs, and that’ll do for the over as far as Belly is concerned.
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21st over: England 51-2 (Bell 22, Root 16) Root negotiates a testing over from Yasir, and it’s another maiden. “If you’re going to lose, lose in style” suggests Ian Botham – I imagine those words rather stuck in his throat.
20th over: England 51-2 (Bell 22, Root 16) Bell defends on the front foot against Zulfiqar, who isn’t bothering the batsmen unduly at the moment. There’s a long delay in the middle of the over, then Bell carries on where he left off. A maiden.
A word on Alastair Cook – there was clearly something up as he hobbled between the wickets, but that could be his first Test exertions, rather than anything more serious. If he does miss the third Test, it would end his pursuit of Allan Border’s record for consecutive Test appearances.
19th over: England 51-2 (Bell 22, Root 16) A loose, wide delivery from Yasir is punched through the off side by Bell, with the man at the boundary doing well to stop it going for four. They run it for three, and Root adds a couple more with a remarkably similar shot next ball. Root plumps for the cover drive to close the over, but it’s drilled straight at the fielder.
18th over: England 46-2 (Bell 19, Root 12) We’re back under way, with Zulfiqar kicking things off. Bell clips to midwicket for a single, then the bowler works on root, keeping a full length that Root defends in that lunging style of his.
One English batsman is having fun in Dubai, at least...
TEA
Apparently the England medics have no concern over Cook – either they weren’t watching, or they’re lying. Anyway, England looked like losing this Test match before play started today, and precious little that’s transpired has changed that outlook. There’s a chance for the batsmen to save some face though, starting with Ian Bell, who is forming a tentative partnership with Root.
17th over: England 45-2 (Bell 18, Root 14) Last over before tea, and it’ll be Yasir to bowl it. Root picks up a couple, playing across the line to midwicket, then swipes at an attempted cut shot. That’s tea.
16th over: England 43-2 (Bell 18, Root 12) There are doctors’ waiting rooms with more atmosphere than this sparsely populated ground, but Pakistan are doing their best to instil some intensity, with the chatter continuing and bowlers ripping through the overs. Bell takes no chances with tea approaching, plonking a straight bat on everything as Zulfiqar switches up the pace. A maiden.
15th over: England 43-2 (Bell 18, Root 12) Yasir changes ends, and has Root on the back foot with a ball that zips unexpectedly off the turf. Root again leaves it late to flick the next from in front of his stumps, before a slightly too full delivery is driven away for two. An uncomfortable over for Root.
14th over: England 41-2 (Bell 18, Root 10) Ah, here’s Zulfiqar – the left-armer getting a welcome shot at the two right-handers at the crease. Bell, who (dare I say it) is starting to settle, blocks and leaves with a degree of comfort, before picking up two runs to close the over, with an edge wide of the slips. Maybe he’s not settling in that well.
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“Why pretend that this is bad news?” asks Robert Wilson.
“This is exactly what everyone here loves. The word ‘rueful’ was invented for English cricket fans. Cue the usual litany of Vietnam vet flashbacks to the 90s and the moral arms race of gallows humour. This is where the OBO lives. The only way people would be genuinely upset is if Buttler knocks out a run-a-ball double ton during Bell’s unbeaten match-saving fifty.”
13th over: England 39-2 (Bell 16, Root 10) Malik comes in for a bowl, rather than Zulfiqar, and has Bell in a mess first ball, going over the wicket and catching the batsman’s glove – but it drops short of bat pad. A flurry of singles, then a rick in the field as Hafeez overthrows and the ball runs away to the boundary. Misbah looks absolutely furious.
12th over: England 30-2 (Bell 13, Root 4) Bell offers a first show of defiance, despatching Yasir when the bowler drops short, opening his shoulders and cracking the ball away for four. Only 461 more for England to win this thing...
11th over: England 25-2 (Bell 9, Root 4) Mind games from Pakistan here, chatting away amongst themselves, with Khan taking his sweet time between deliveries. They know that the flaky middle order is in reach, and will be keen to stop this partnership before it gets started. Root gets off the mark with a four, slashing a wide ball past backward point.
10th over: England 19-2 (Bell 7, Root 0) Joe Root staggers to the crease, with the weight of England’s faint, faint hope strapped across his shoulders, after Cook, who looked in no fit state to be at the crease, succumbed to Yasir for the second time in this Test. There’s a big shout for lbw against Root second ball, but it was pitching well outside leg.
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WICKET! Cook c Wahab b Yasir Shah 10
Oh boy. Yasir tempts Cook into a sweep, and he gets a top edge, sending the ball high into the Dubai sky, and into the grateful arms of Wahab Riaz, deep in the outfield.
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9th over: England 19-1 (Cook 10, Bell 7) We resume, and Khan has Cook in trouble first ball, with a terrific delivery that whips past the edge, and drops just in front of Sarfraz. Bell leaves, then has a jab that just misses short leg, then leaves, then drives silkily through the covers for four. Inconsistent.
“The funniest part about this entire defeat is that our batsmen aren’t falling to spin,” begins Krishnan Patel. “No, we seem to have this fetish for collapsing to pacers in dry conditions where pace bowling is supposed to be hard - just like the Lord’s and Oval tests in the Ashes this summer.”
8th over: England 14-1 (Cook 10, Bell 3) Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse for England, here comes Yasir Shah to have another dig at Cook. Yasir starts over the wicket, but Cook pinches a single with a clip past short leg. Two slips join said short leg as Yasir sizes up Bell, who scrapes through the rest of the over, straight batting back down the wicket. Drinks.
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7th over: England 13-1 (Cook 9, Bell 3) Imran Khan aims and fires in the direction of Bell’s off stump, with a shorter ball forcing a nervous flick towards gully that drops short. Bell defends the rest of the over for a maiden. Bumble amuses himself by reading out the places on the Barmy Army’s flags. “Sunderland... Wigan... Dunnington, that’s where Bairstow’s from”. You get the idea.
6th over: England 13-1 (Cook 9, Bell 3) This is Niall, taking over from Vish and sticking with this until stumps. So, a crocked Alastair Cook and a timid Ian Bell start their long walk up the mountain. Wahab comes steaming straight in at Bell, who has the composed swagger of a rabbit in headlights. A handful of hurried singles from the over, with Cook visibly limping up and down the wicket.
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5th over: England 10-1 (Cook 8, Bell 1)
We’ve pinpointed Cook’s issue to a groin strain which he was stretching while in the field, says Bumble on comms. Oh and there goes Mo, nicking to second slip. Poor. I suppose that’s the end of that experiment? Speaking of end, Ian Bell is up next and he needs to keep the wolf from the door. Off the mark with a dab in front of square on the leg side.
Thanks for sticking with me this morning. I’m handing over to Niall who will see things through to stumps (his e-mail and Twitter handle should now be in the furniture to your left). If there’s any action tomorrow, I’ll see you then...
This is possibly the most futile chase since Wile E. Coyote decided he fancied game for dinner. #PAKvENG
— Pavilion Opinions (@pavilionopinion) October 25, 2015
Alastair Cook running like C3PO during an oil shortage. Not good.
— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) October 25, 2015
WICKET! Ali c Y.Khan b I.Khan (England 9-1)
Grim from Moeen, who sniffs a bit of width and throws his hands at a wide one and nicks to second slip.
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4th over: England 8-0 (Cook 7, Ali 1)
A stiff pull – steady – sees Cook get to the other end for a single, leaving Wahab to have another go at Ali. Short ball served up and Ali sways underneath. Ali ends the over with a delightful punch off the back foot, which finds the fielder at extra cover. No run.
3rd over: England 7-0 (Cook 6, Ali 1)
The umpires seem keen to track Imran Khan’s follow through, which is encroaching the danger area down the middle of the pitch. Ali plays out a maiden.
2nd over: England 7-0 (Cook 6, Ali 1)
That man Wahaz Riaz, who bowls took quickly, is opening from the other end. Early movement for sure, but Ali manages to get off the mark comfortably with a well taken single. Cook tests his back with a nice shot through midwicket that has him ambling the first and trudging back for the second.
1st over: England 4-0 (Cook 4, Ali 0)
Cook starts as he means to go on with a crunching defence into the leg side. He follows that up with a brutal dead bat that dribbles back to the bowler and then a hellacious tap down the ground. What will Imran Khan do now? Weep, that’s what, as Cook skews a Lara-esque edge through gully for MORE RUNS. Brilliant finish from Cook, as he toys with Khan and pulls out his reverse playing of a shot. Four from the over.
ENGLAND WELL ABOVE THE REQUIRED RUN RATE OF 3.41
Come on – let’s count them down together: 491 runs or 144 overs. I’ll take overs, you lot count the runs...
More good news...
If theres no bad light Eng will have to bat 144 overs to draw. Or score 491 runs to win. Both will be Asian records https://t.co/ZaRPGOZgUj
— Hassan Cheema (@mediagag) October 25, 2015
Don’t to be the bearer of worse news, but apparently Alastair Cook is carrying a niggle. Yay...
Ah Shafiq's dismissal for 79 prompts declaration at 354 for 6, a lead of 490. Eng have i think 54 overs to bat today.
— mike selvey (@selvecricket) October 25, 2015
Pakistan declare on 354-6 after Asad Shafid lbw to Moeen for 79, leaving England need 491 to win the second Test. More chance of rain
— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) October 25, 2015
WICKET! Shafiq LBW Ali 79 (Pakistan 353-6)
Ali gets one to turn into the pads and, crucially, not bounce much. Shafiq reviews but it’s umpire’s call on impact outside the line.
AND MISBAH HAS DECLARED!
England require 491 to win...
94th over: Pakistan 352-5 (Shafiq 78, Sarfraz 2)
Shafiq steals two as England fail to maintain the illusion of interest, allowing an overthrown hurl to the keeper to go through two covering fielders. Sarfraz is busy enough to return the trike to Shafiq when it’s given to him, and Shafiq’s seeing it well enough to do the same even when he mis-times one.
With Pakistan’s lead now 488, Andy in Brum sums it up best...
@Vitu_E this is where we're at now https://t.co/9gH8AQSkAL
— AndyinBrum (@AndyinBrum) October 25, 2015
93rd over: Pakistan 347-5 (Shafiq 74, Ahmed 1)
Ahmed gets off the mark second ball, allowing Shafiq to nab two through the off side with a well-watched cut. Next ball he skips down the track and hits Ali over the top of midwicket for four. Cracking shot, for free really given there’s no one near that part of the fence. He then drops one into the leg side to retain the strike.
92nd over: Pakistan 339-5 (Shafiq 67, Ahmed 0)
Khan falls to Rashid, attempting to push the rate. Brilliant catch by Moeen Ali. Rashid thinks he might have another one as a ball booms from outside leg stump to James Anderson at slip. Via the edge? Apparently not – so say the standing and third umpire, the latter being consulted as England choose to review. Scampered two allows Sarfraz the strike for the next over...
Not out. Bat hitting pad/boot was the noise...
REVIEW...
Rashid fizzes one sharply from leg to off which finds its way to Anderson at slip. They appeal for the catch, umpire says not out. England choose to ask upstairs...
WICKET! Younis Khan 118 c Ali b Rashid (Pakistan 337-5)
Khan tries to smash Rashid out of the rough but can only sky, high, down the ground. Moeen Ali, running around from mid on, takes a brilliant catch.
91st over: Pakistan 334-4 (Y.Khan 118, Shafiq 62)
Hundred partnership between these two comes up with a delightful back cut from Shafiq. He takes a two, then a single as Wood over steps the front line. Khan then opens the face towards Moeen Ali, coming on from the third man fence. And now Shafiq hits another four, down the ground nicely. Cook does well to make up the ground and get to the ball, but his intervention doesn’t stop it racing away to the boundary.
@Vitu_E Surely it's time for a declaration? They can't really fear England's batting line up this much...
— Metatone (@Metatone2) October 25, 2015
90th over: Pakistan 320-4 (Y.Khan 113, Shafiq 50)
Adil Rashid from around the wicket once more. Shafiq gets down and one knee and sweeps after a succession of misses, one of which causes the ball to balloon up, but safely into the off side. Shafiq then moves to another well-compiled fifty. Younis helps him celebrate by skipping down and thumping Rashid for a straight four.
89th over: Pakistan 313-4 (Y.Khan 113, Shafiq 47)
Mark Wood taking the first over of the second session and he’s bang on the money straightaway: Younis Khan playing across the line but getting a thin edge onto his pads, scuppering any hopes of an LBW. Picks off a single into the leg side to bring Shafiq back on strike. England haven’t taken the new ball but the cameras pan to Wahab Riaz who is dressed in his whites and checking the seam on a shiny new red one.
Players emerging – second session due to get underway. Declaration speculation and more Younis Khan up next...
Right, get some lunch/breakfast/dinner/Uber and kebab, and I’ll see you all in 20 minutes...
Younis Khan picking off runs into the leg side from outside off like: pic.twitter.com/xc4hZ618Ji
— Vithushan (@Vitu_E) October 25, 2015
88th over: Pakistan 311-4 (Y.Khan 112, Shafiq 47)
Bit of spit from Adil – not literally – as this one bounces out of the rough, past the outside edge. Bye given! Amazing scenes. Short ball and Shafiq works this to the leg-side sweeper. A single off the final ball brings about LUNCH.
Pakistan lead by 447...
87th over: Pakistan 308-4 (Y.Khan 111, Shafiq 46)
A shout for LBW is turned down. England decide to review it and it turns out the umpire was right, it did hit the pad outside the line. Over ends with Pakistan leading by 444.
NOT OUT – as you were...
REVIEW...
Moeen Ali turns one into the pads of Shafiq and appeals. Not out. Looks like it hits outside the line (umpire gives it NOT OUT)...
86th over: Pakistan 307-4 (Y.Khan 110, Shafiq 46)
Rashid bowling around the wicket now to Shafiq – the first one is padded away. The next one is short and Shafiq waits for the turn before playing it wide of mid off for a single. Khan gets a short one and pulls it through midwicket, again for a single. Decent bite from the rough, but that means sod all now, doesn’t it?
85th over: Pakistan 305-4 (Y.Khan 109, Shafiq 45)
Moeen Ali into the attack. Younis picks him through midwicket for one before Shafiq brings out the reverse sweep for two. A leg slip is put in, Khan is brought back on strike and he finishes with a delightful smash to mid-wicket, skipping down the track, for four.
84th over: Pakistan 295-4 (Y.Khan 104, Shafiq 40)
Younis Khan gets his 31st Test hundred (third against England). Gets some applause from the England fielders, as he takes his helmet off to salute the dressing room and his own fan base. He’s worn England down here.
Test century No31 for Younus Khan and his 12th in 2nd innings (Just Cook & Tendulkar, both 13, and Sangakkara, 14, above him in this regard)
— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) October 25, 2015
83rd over: Pakistan 286-4 (Y.Khan 98, Shafiq 38)
Khan’s adopting the off-side Hotline Bling squat as the bowler runs in. He gets four behind square on the leg side first but Broad pulls out of his run-up next ball, meaning Khan stays where he is for the ball after.
82nd over: Pakistan 282-4 (Khan 94, Shafiq 37)
Younis Khan takes a single and gives Shafiq a few goes at Rashid. But it’s only to the fifth ball that he goes after the leggie: a ball is dropped short and Shafiq smites it to midwicket for four. Takes a single to deep point.
Younis Khan has not been dismissed in the 90s in last 14 years, the period in which he has scored 28 centuries - via @MazherArshad
— Hemant (@hemantbuch) October 25, 2015
81st over: Pakistan 276-4 (Y.Khan 93, Shafiq 32)
The new ball is available but England have taken it yet. Younis Khan shuffling across his stumps, presumable as an homage to Drake: legs bowed as he claims the fourth and fifth stump line as his own. He gets a single and Shafiq gets two thanks to a misfield from sub-fielder Alex Hales at third man.
80th over: Pakistan 273-4 (Y.Khan 92, Shafiq 30)
Spin now as Adil Rashid comes into the attack. He finds an edge straightaway but the ball bounces just short of Anderson at first slip. A couple of shorter balls don’t get up at all, but the fourth ball does and Shafiq takes the single out to deep point. Beats Younis’ outside edge before the right hander sweeps against the spin for a single.
79th over: Pakistan 271-4 (Younis 91, Shafiq 29)
That previous over took Pakistan to a lead of 406. Shafiq nearly goes to the penultimate ball: the right hander approaches the pitch of the ball, but misreads the bounce and spoons the ball to Cook at mid off but it drops well short. A single is taken to the leg side, as Adil Rashid comes in from the boundary to field. Two from the over.
78th over: Pakistan 269-4 (Y.Khan 90, Shafiq 28)
Now he’s finding the gaps: Shafiq nails a straight drive and then one through the cover – both for boundaries. Stokes is, well, not entirely chuffed.
77th over: Pakistan 261-4 (Y.Khan 90, Shafiq 20)
Anderson takes a well earned break and Broad comes into the attack. His first ball his inside-edged for four. A more deliberate boundary comes two balls later as Broad gives Younis a bit of width and he smashes it through point off the front foot. Glorious.
76th over: Pakistan 253-4 (Y.Khan 82, Shafiq 20)
Shafiq having a net at the moment: lovely looking shots for no value whatsoever. He finds mid off with a crisp front foot drive, cover is found with one off the back foot. He finishes with a defence back to the bowler. All the right shapes, this lad. England have been quick to remind any and every Pakistan batsmen that they’ll have to do it against the moving Dukes ball next summer. Shafiq looks like he’s got the set-up to succeed in those conditions.
75th over: Pakistan 253-4 (Y.Khan 82, Shafiq 20)
Some shift this is from Anderson, who has just bowled his seventh over on the bounce this morning – the longest spell of any England bowler. Just a single from it as Shafiq goes to his favoured third man region.
74th over: Pakistan 252-4 (Y.Khan 82, Shafiq 19)
A single from Shafiq brings up the Pakistan 250. Younis then picks off Stokes through midwicket as the allrounder strays, ever so slightly, from his off stump/fourth stump line.
73rd over: Pakistan 249-4 (Y.Khan 80, Shafiq 18)
Shafiq’s not quite got to grips with Anderson, who looked to have deliberate stepped in the batsman’s way during the previous over. Shafiq went to have a word with the square leg umpire about it. He’s at the non-strikers end at the moment as Younis Khan attempts to work Jimmy into the off side but can only play onto his own foot. Maiden.
72nd over: Pakistan 249-4 (Y.Khan 80, Shafiq 18)
Younis steps across to the off side and finds a gap between mid off and mid wicket for a single. Ah, there’s Shafiq’s middle – threads a nice shot through cover point for four.
Updated
71st over: Pakistan 244-4 (Younis 79, Shafiq 14)
Anderson’s got two short-mid ons now but Younis leaves them both stranded as he flicks the second ball through midwicket for three. He now has more than a thousand Test runs against England. Shafiq’s not quite found the middle of his bat but he’s tucking the ball hither and, erm, thither (?) – is that right? Anyway, thether he goes, to square leg, for a couple.
70th over: Pakistan 238-4 (Younis 76, Shafiq 11)
Wood has a blow and Stokes takes over from him. Starts with two runs down to third man before a drive into the covers is stopped well by Ian Bell, though a single is allowed. If you’ve not seen Wood’s interview with Stokes in his latest tour diary video (they’re excellent, by the way), have a watch:
.@benstokes38 joins @mawood33's video blog for a first Test review on Cook, Rashid, heat and off-spin #tan #mint https://t.co/EcEMxYw2oe
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 23, 2015
69th over: Pakistan 235-4 (Younis 76, Shafiq 8)
A wide-brim-hatted fielder at short mid on (think it’s Broad) for Anderson who bowls a tidy few to Shafiq before a thick edge through point brings Younis back on strike (he took a single first ball).
68th over: Pakistan 233-4 (Younis 75, Shafiq 7)
Three dots, then Shafiq and Younis exchange the strike before the first boundary of the day comes as Shafiq gets one on his hip and works it fine, behind square leg, for four.
67th over: Pakistan 227-4 (Y.Khan 74, Shafiq 2)
Interesting graphic being shown on the telebox showing Anderson’s variation in pace. The cutters are in the low 70s and, as soon as they come back to the live coverage, Jimmy dishes up a couple at 86mph, carrying well through to Buttler. Not bad with a ball this old.
Misbah may be out. But, philosophically, is anybody ever really out once they’ve done something like this? #PAKvENG https://t.co/bEF1tvZb1P
— Dan Liebke (@LiebCricket) October 25, 2015
66th over: Pakistan 226-4 (Younis 74, Shafiq 1)
Another maiden for Wood. Whatever margin this England defeat (come on), he has acquitted himself brilliantly. Once we fully master bionic back/ankle replacements, he could have a long and prosperous international career.
65th over: Pakistan 226-4 (Y.Khan 74, Shafiq 1)
Misbah tries to go after Anderson but, while he picks the slower off break, he can’t do much with it – lifting it tamely to Cook, who has to hunch to his left to take the catch. Even given the current game situation, that shot was out of nowhere. Shafiq gets off the mark with a thick edge down to third man. Another slower ball, this time to Younis, grips and stops a bit in the pitch. It’s shorter, so Younis dabs it into the leg side for one.
WICKET! Misbah c Cook b Anderson 87 (Pakistan 223-4)
No second hundred in the match for Misbah as he tries to go after a slower ball but can’t beat Cook at mid off.
64th over: Pakistan 223-3 (Misbah 87, Y.Khan 72)
The first run of the day comes as Wood is flicked to the man out at midwicket by Younis for a single. Misbah happy to get forward and leave or defend Wood. This stat just about sums up his approach...
Misbah has scored 189 runs in this Test: 55 off the quicks and 134 off the spinners
— Simon Wilde (@swildecricket) October 25, 2015
63rd over: Pakistan 222-3 (Misbah 87, Y.Khan 71)
Another maiden, this time James Anderson to Misbah. Good lines from Jimmy, as you’d expect, and even a bit of movement too: the last ball actually swings a touch into the pads, but Misbah is able to get a thick-ish inside edge.
62nd over: Pakistan 222-3 (Misbah 87, Y.Khan 71)
Mark Wood starts with a maiden against Younis and the commentators are already looking at England’s highest fourth innings scores to win a Test. At the stop sits an effort of 332 for seven against Australia. They just need to evoke the spirit of Percy Chapman’s barmy army.
Players are out in the middle. England seem in fairly good spirits considering the game situation. Pretty sure Misbah won’t be happy until he has a lead of 500, but maybe I’m doing him a disservice there...
Younus Khan joins a very exclusive club with just 14 members! Who are your favourite batsmen on this list? #cricket pic.twitter.com/GuaGbriNST
— ICC (@ICC) October 25, 2015
Sorry, how have I managed to get on the wrong side of the clocks going back?
“Don’t forget, you’ve got an extra hour in bed,” beamed the BBC weatherman who once did this. Not so, Schafernaker. Here we all are, at 5:43am. I’ll be honest, I’m a bit worried. I’d assumed Sky Sports’ coverage would have started by now. Instead, I’m watching Gilo (7*) and Hoggy (8*) stick it to the Aussies at Trent Bridge in 2005. Do they know we’re doing this an hour early?
Phew, there we are – that slightly annoying Toyota ad is playing. We’re 15 minutes away from play. Pakistan are 358 ahead, with seven second innings wickets remaining.
If you missed yesterday’s action, this video pretty much sums things up...
Misbah 😂😆😝🙊 #PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/pkXlMzmEO8
— Taimoor Zaman (@taimoorza) October 24, 2015
“How many times?!”
Updated
Hello. Vithushan will be along shortly. Until then, here’s Mike Selvey’s verdict on day three, which was not a great one for England:
Any ambition England may have had about forcing their way back into the second Test were firmly dispelled when they were bowled out before lunch in a vintage display of good old Chuckle Brothers deckchair batting. Two hours have all but cost them the match.
On a surface that was far from spiteful, with Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow going well, they envisaged a lead, perhaps enough to make life as tricky for Pakistan as they had managed in Abu Dhabi. Instead the batting imploded against a mixture of wonderful, sustained left-arm pace bowling from Wahab Riaz, and mystery spin from Yasir Shah, the most important ingredient missing from the Pakistan team in the first Test.
You can read the full report here.
