England begin chase after Azhar heroics
England face an arduous task to win the third Test in Dubai as the tourists require a further 288 runs to claim a consolation victory after Pakistan set them a target of 324.
The hosts were eventually dismissed for 365 in their second innings as the unerring Azhar Ali epitomised the attitude of steady accumulation with a stunning 157 after fellow centurion Younis Khan had earlier departed for 127.
Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook were forced to survive a tricky 20 overs before the close of play, and both openers remained unscathed in a partnership of 36 to set up an intriguing fourth day with the draw all but out of the equation.
No side in 105 years has won a Test match after making fewer than 100 in the first innings - a feat last achieved by England against South Africa at Headingley in 1907 – and Pakistan remain favourites despite having been skittled out for just 99 on day one.
The hosts produced some attritional batting to consolidate their early advantage on day three, scoring just 55 runs in the second session, after only 73 were mustered in the morning.
Younis Khan added 12 to his overnight score to reach 127 before Stuart Broad got him leg before to end his partnership of 216 with Azhar. It was the second-highest recorded in Tests in the United Arab Emirates after the 242 made by the South African pair of Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis against Pakistan in November 2010.
Captain Misbah-ul-Haq provided a typically stout resistance alongside the irrepressible Azhar, and the pair rebuilt after the loss of Younis with a stand of 87.
It was a long first hour in the field after lunch for England, but a protracted drinks break provided the inspiration as, second ball back, a straight delivery from Monty Panesar – who took five for 124 in another impressive display - rapped Misbah on the front pad.
Misbah had been saved earlier in the session by an inside edge on a close lbw decision - which cost England their last review - but this time it was ruled pad first and Simon Taufel's original decision was upheld, costing Pakistan their remaining review.
Panesar struck again six overs later, with Asad Shafiq hit on the back leg attempting to paddle-sweep one around the corner and dismissed for just five, before returning in his next over with a beauty to remove Adnan Akmal for a duck.
The wicketkeeper was beaten by a ball which pitched on middle and spun past the bat to clip the outside of off stump - an ominous sign for England's batsmen, who have failed to handle Pakistan's spinners throughout the series.
Off-spinner Graeme Swann then took his first wicket of the innings when a full delivery on off stump bit in the rough and caught the edge of Abdur Rehman's bat to offer James Anderson a simple catch in the slips.
The pair combined on the last ball before tea with Saeed Ajmal pushing at a wide ball and Anderson pouncing to his right, and shortly after the break Azhar followed as the batsman’s vigil was ended by Swann with Cook snaffling a fine catch at short leg.
Umar Gul fell lbw to Panesar to give the slow left-arm spinner his fifth wicket, and England’s focus immediately switched to what will have to be a truly monumental effort with the bat.
Strauss and Cook laid a good early platform with an unbeaten stand of 36 to steer their side to stumps unscathed, ensuring that the match is intriguingly poised ahead of a crucial fourth day as both sides target a series-ending victory.
If England are to survive a whitewash - which would be Pakistan's first against them - they will have to make the second-highest total to win a Test match in their history - only the 332 they scored in 1928 to beat Australia in Melbourne would trump the feat.
Comment 28 - 47 of 47
@Matthew Robinson & BEN,
You two, how do you guys get off the topic on such frequent basis? Mate, me using the term 'miracle' was purely in poetic sense, of course there are no MIRACLES!
Matthew Robinson
You like my avatar??
Matthew Robinson
Golam Mostofa, is/was Bangladeshi - once east Pakistan. I am from the west. - now called Pakistan.
simoan
So true - this data madness has gone too far!! Stats can be manipulated and projections cannot mimic whats happening on the pitch. Well said.
Moore and co "coaches"should forget the laptop,or dispose of them in a painful manner!
I cant live with computer selected cricketers of any race colour or creed,Put the Captain back in charge!
Ray S
Sure Ray, I accept your argument - but he has delivered the goods when needed. Swann really has not shone thus far. Monty isn't a joy to watch - as a viewer I could predict his bowling the batsmen certainly did yesterday.
Been a great contest - it get better tomorrow.
MATTHEW ROBINSON
I am not familiar with the poet you refer to - no need, it's my language. Now you mention it I may even research it - presently I am reading 'Kashmir: A tragedy of Errors' by Tavleen Singh. Very interesting read so far - just confirming my views about powers abusing the ordinary person. I am no Jinnah fanatic either!
I hail from Kashmir (Azad) - I speak for myself and no other - but you, on the other hand speak for all mankind.
Let's keep to the cricket please.
Ben, you might notice that in my article I DID give credit to Monty, saying that he had taken the opportunity well. However the real point I was trying to make was that we should not look on him as our answer to Ajmal or Rehman, he is not in the same category, he is not a good enough spinner on the international stage. Play him as a medium pacer maybe?
Matthew Robinson
Without refering to Google and the like: Zinda means to be alive or in the state of living; baad means long. So two make long live. The opposite is Murdabaad: Murda means to be dead or in state of death, Using the same logic - long dead. Often these words are used in slogans for worker's rights, political purposes and of course in sport - either for support of lack of it.
You really insult my being, friend.
Harris
Nice one - at last my pateince and persistence is paying off. To get Matthew say the word is rewarding.
I think you will see a miracle tomorrow or early Tuesday around lunchtime!
If tomorrow - Pakistan win - you can work the other out for yourself.
Once again Zindabaad whoever wins!!
Zindabad, all the good people.
Harris whatever happens it will be well short of a miracle because there never has been one, unless you know someone around 1600 years old that can say different. Zindabad Pakistan and England, there could still be a twist in the tale of the tail!
PAKISTAN has to win this test
their 1st step towards NO 1 ICC ranking :D
Tough ask for England tomorrow. It will be nothing short of a miracle if England win this. Pakistan will need to have a full assault of its spinners, no mercy till the last English wicket falls!
Pakistan Zindabad (Long live Pakistan)
Zindabad, long live, are you familiar with the poetry of Golam Mostofa BEN are you from eastern Pakistan? Or do you presume to speak for 200 million people? Pride has indeed been dented but surely you have gained the most from this a long way from the grey deserts of Sindh and even further from your being part of any independance.
BEN, do you know what it means?
Why have the England batsmen become so ordinary all of a sudden? I know that they have difficulty in combating spin but you would think that with all their experience they could cope.
MATTHEW ROBINSON
By the way - Pakistan have already won ther series remember?
Maybe your lot should win this one to restore'some' pride for the nation. ;-)
MATTHEW ROBINSON
Ha Ha..or Hee Hee..only stating the obvious matey without the cryptic frills and nonsense...
Do you actually know what Zindabaad means?
BEN brilliant analysis, says it all. If we don't lose your team will unless in the event of a draw the time is up.
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