England yesterday were denied a dramatic win in the first Test against Pakistan as bad light curtailed a short chase with only 25 runs needed in Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan were 173 all out in their second innings, setting England a target of 99 to win with about an hour’s play remaining.
They reached 74-4 before the umpires called the match a draw when the light faded too much for play to continue.
Photo: Reuters
Abu Dhabi’s benign pitch had tormented both teams’ bowlers in the first four days of play, but belatedly came to life on the last day.
Seamer James Anderson ripped into Pakistan’s higher order before lunch, while England spin duo Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali then claimed seven wickets between them as Pakistan collapsed from 139-4 to 173 all out.
Pakistan declared on 523-8 on Wednesday, England then taking nearly three days to reach 598-9 in their first innings before skipper Alastair Cook called on the hosts to bat again yesterday morning.
Photo: Reuters
Pakistan paceman Imran Khan clean bowled Adil Rashid (12), the ball moving off the seam before Cook swiftly declared.
Stuart Broad returned to the pavilion on 17 not out, while Anderson — unbeaten on three — appeared annoyed.
However, Cook’s decision was soon justified, the England skipper laying out an aggressive field and starting with seam duo Anderson and Broad in attack as Pakistan returned to bat.
In his first over, Anderson bowled Shan Masood (1), the opener scuffing the ball onto his wicket as England’s two dozen boisterous fans serenaded their hero.
Four deliveries later, Shoaib Malik walked after lofting Anderson’s bouncer to Jonny Bairstow for an easy catch at short leg. Pakistan’s first-innings hero was out for a duck and his team were reeling on 3-2, still 72 behind England.
Mohammad Hafeez (34) and Pakistan’s record run scorer Younis Khan then steadied the hosts as the afternoon session progressed before a misunderstanding and some brilliant fielding ended their 44-run partnership.
Hafeez nicked the ball to the covers and Younis called a quick single. Hafeez fatally hesitated and Ben Stokes dislodged the non-striker’s bails from 20m away.
Pakistan were 47-3, still 28 behind England, with veteran captain Misbah-ul-Haq next to bat.
Misbah, 41, and Younis went defensive, Pakistan making nine runs in the 10 overs following the run out, while England skipper Cook used six bowlers to little avail despite several appeals.
Misbah was 25 not out at tea and Younis 40 unbeaten.
Only about 100 spectators were present for the first Test’s seemingly inevitable conclusion, but it was headed for a stunning finish as Ali (11), Jos Buttler (4), Stokes (2) and Jonny Bairstow (15) were dismissed, while Root (33 not out) and Ian Bell (5 not out) seemed set to take them home.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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