Published: Oct 15, 2015, 02:13 PM (IST)
Edited: Oct 15, 2015, 04:37 PM (IST)
England held their nerves against Pakistan and gave themselves a chance with a solid start from their openers on Day Three of the first Test at Abu Dhabi on Thursday. Pakistan posted a massive total of 523 runs before they declared their innings and invited England to bat. Alastair Cook and Moeen Ali were confronting the Pakistani attack with confidence before the latter’s innings was cut short by Imran Khan when he nicked one into the safe hands of Sarfraz Ahmed for a hard fought score of 35. The duo put up a century stand and brought England well into the game with 116 runs partnership between them. . LIVE CRICKET SCORECARD: Pakistan vs England 2015, 1st Test at Abu Dhabi, Day 2
Ian Bell walked in at number three but started off tentatively as he nicked the first delivery from Imran which didn’t carry to the slips. Bell looks rusty and a bit restless against the spinners but has stuck to his grounds and has been drilling hard. Cook has played a magnificent innings and England would prefer him to be at the crease for another session at least as it would also maintain the right-hand left-hand combination. His approach has been positive and kept the scoreboard ticking. He’s playing spin quite comfortably and his presence will be pivotal from England’s point of view. LIVE CRICKET BLOG: Pakistan vs England, 1st Test at Abu Dhabi, Day 3
England bat deep and have to build a platform for their aggressive middle-order to capitalise upon. As the day progresses one can expect the pitch to assist the spinners and Pakistan will eye to take full advantage of it. England are now trailing by 401 runs and will look to get those 200 odd runs first and hence clearing the follow on.
Brief scores:
England 122 for (Alastair Cook 78(141), Ian Bell 1(27); Imran Khan 1 for 17) against Pakistan
