DUBAI — Misbahul Haq and Younis Khan made half-centuries as Pakistan ambled to 222 for three at the close on day three of the second Test Saturday, 358 runs ahead of England after Wahab Riaz and Yasir Shah had scuttled the tourists lower order before lunch.
It was a truly abject day for England which lost its final seven wickets for 36 runs to be all out for 242, wrecking its chances of becoming the first team to defeat Pakistan in a Test series in the UAE.
That collapse meant England needed to bowl out Pakistan cheaply to stand any chance of a remarkable comeback.
Opener Shan Masood (one) had been fortunate as a diving Jos Buttler spilled his nick off Stuart Broad, but England’s wicketkeeper made amends, snaffling another Masood edge off James Anderson the following over.
The host was one for one and Shoaib Malik (seven) lasted little longer, edging a full Mark Wood ball on to his stumps which reduced Pakistan to 16 for two.
Captain Cook used seven bowlers in the search for another breakthrough and Mohammad Hafeez (51) eventually fell after edging Wood to Joe Root at slip.
Starting their partnership at 83 for three, Younis and skipper Misbah were sensible, waiting to punish errant deliveries and taking minimal risks.
Younis passed 9,000 Test runs and Pakistan’s record scorer reached his 30th Test half-century with a four to fine leg. Misbah got to his 31st Test 50 after slogging the hapless Adil Rashid for two sixes in the same over.
Younis reached the close on 71 not out with Misbah on 87.
India-Pakistan series
Pakistan cricket chief Shaharyar Khan said Saturday that if India turns down a proposed series in December-January then it would be possible that Islamabad would prevent Pakistan from featuring in next year’s World Twenty20.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has called on India to honor a Memorandum of Understanding under which the arch-rivals agreed to play six series from 2015-2023 — pending clearance from both governments — the first of which is this year in the United Arab Emirates.
But the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has yet to give a final response on the series comprising of two Tests, five one-dayers and two Twenty20 Internationals.
Asked if the Pakistan government would prevent its team from playing in the World Twenty20, which India hosts from March 11-April 3 next year, Khan said: “This is possible that if India closes all doors then we have to decide and make a policy. We will have to take advice from the Pakistan government and I think the government will say don’t go in the event.” — Agencies
