ENGLAND ran out of time to knock off the runs on the final day in the first of three tests against Pakistan in the UAE. In a test that was literally no more exciting than watching paint dry for the best part of four days, England almost managed to snatch the win after a characteristic Pakistan collapse in their second innings.

After being presented with one of the most batting-friendly pitches seen in the last couple of years, Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and elected to bat first. After England had struck early through Jimmy Anderson, Shoaib Malik strode in at number 3. Playing in his first test in over five years, Malik made the most of his recall to bring up his first ever double hundred in first class cricket and was eventually dismissed for 245 by Ben Stokes. With Asad Shariq reaching a century of his own, Pakistan eventually declared on 523-8 late on day 2. England’s debutant spinner, Adil Rashid, unfortunately went on to claim the unwanted record of the most runs conceded on debut without a wicket.

Step up the revived skipper Alistair Cook in response, batting for an incredible 14 hours in the Abu Dhabi heat. Cook’s mammoth effort eventually came to an end off the bowling of his fellow double centurion, Shoaib Malik, for 263, his third test double. As the pitch continued to be the flattest road off the Persian Gulf, the English batsman remained predominantly untroubled and continued to bat at a dreadfully dull rate to get the job done to pass Pakistan’s total. Cook decided to declare on the final day with a lead of 75 runs.

Up until this point, the test had shown absolutely no signs of any side coming out on top and almost everyone had resigned to the fact that the first test would finish in a draw. Everyone except for Pakistan themselves. Seemingly deciding to give the crowd some value for their money or just simply to spice up their own lives after a dire four days, Pakistan fell apart in characteristic style. Only four players reaching double figures and no less than six players falling for a score of 1 or less, Pakistan collapsed to a poultry score of 173 – a lead of only 98. Rashid showing incredible character himself to become the first debutant to pick up a five-for in the second innings after conceding 100-plus runs and going wicketless in the first, clearing up the tail to finish with 5-65.

This meant that England required 99 to win in the fading light. Opening the innings with the aggressive keeper Jos Buttler, it was clear Cook desperately wanted the win. But despite the best efforts of Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow, England ran out of time with the umpires calling it time in the dark – finishing a mere 25 runs short. The final day has given England the momentum going in to the next test in Dubai but with world-class spinner Yasir Shah expected to return from injury for Pakistan, it won’t get any easier for Cook’s men.

Matt Norman 

Featured image: Sky Sports