ABU DHABI — Captain Alastair Cook kept England in the game with an unbeaten century Thursday, although Pakistan fought back with two late wickets on the third day of the first Test.
Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz removed Ian Bell and night-watchman Mark Wood, but England reached 290-3 at close of play thanks to Cook’s gritty knock of 168 not out at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Cook scored his 28th Test hundred and he and Ian Bell put on 165 runs for the second wicket — England’s all-time highest in the UAE. Joe Root was giving him company at stumps, not out on three.
Bell finally departed five overs before close of play for a streaky 63, cutting a Riaz delivery into the hands of Mohammed Hafeez at point. One over later, Riaz got rid of Wood, who fended a rising delivery into his wicket.
But it was a battling knock under the hot sun by Cook, although he was dropped by Fawad Alam on 147 when attempting to sweep left-arm orthodox spinner Zulfiqar Babar.
Cook played aggressive cricket in the pre-lunch session when he was unbeaten on 78 and played several shots, including stepping out against Babar and sweeping him repeatedly, but was more circumspect in the next two sessions as the Abu Dhabi pitch started showing some effects of wear and tear.
He did reach his century with a boundary, though, a cracking shot through the cover area off Wahab Riaz.
Khan troubled him early in his second spell of the day midway through the first session, but was rewarded with the wicket of Moeen instead, when he nudged at an away going delivery and edged it to wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed.
Moeen had made a cautious 35, eschewing all risk and hitting just two boundaries in his 131-ball stay before his indiscretion against Imran. He and Cook put together 116 runs for the first wicket.
Bell, who had to take much of the blame for Pakistan reaching their big first inning total after dropping simple chances of Hafeez and Asad Shafiq, redeemed himself with the bat.
It wasn’t the most assured knock from the England No. 3, who lived dangerously for the early part of his inning and was even dropped when on one. But as the day wore on, he looked more at ease in the middle.
Bell reached his 50 with a pulled boundary of Rahat Ali, but while attempting a similar shot against Riaz on 56, he appeared to have gloved it to wicket-keeper Sarfraz. Pakistan reviewed the umpire’s decision, which was upheld.
England still trails Pakistan’s first inning total of 523 for eight declared by 233 runs.
Pakistan spinner to undergo action test in India
Pakistan off-spinner Bilal Asif will undergo a biomechanical test in India after his bowling action was deemed suspect during a one-day match in Zimbabwe, officials said Thursday.
Asif took five wickets in only his second one-day match in Harare on October 5 but after the game his action was reported by match officials as suspect.
Under the International Cricket Council (ICC) rules a bowler is required to clear biomechanical tests to get cleared.
If tests find Asif is bending his elbow more than the allowed 15 degree limit by the ICC, then he will be suspended and will have to undergo remedial work on his action.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Asif will undergo the biomechanical test in Chennai, India.
“Pending his visa to India Asif will travel to Chennai and will have his action tested on October 19,” a PCB spokesman said.
Asif is the third Pakistani bowler whose action has been reported as suspect in the last year.
Off-spinners Saeed Ajmal’s and Mohammad Hafeez’s actions were reported last year.
Pakistan waits for answer on India series soon
India’s cricket chief has invited his Pakistani counterpart Shaharyar Khan for a visit to discuss the prospect of a series which has run into doubts over strained relations, Khan said Thursday.
Pakistan is due to host India in the United Arab Emirates for a two Test, five one-day and two Twenty20 series — one of six the arch-rivals agreed to play between 2015 and 2023 under an agreement signed last year — pending New Delhi’s clearance.
But relations between the South Asian nuclear rivals have been strained with continued ceasefire violations from both sides, leading to the cancellation of a meeting between their security advisers in August.
