Misbah century leaves England frustrated

Pakistan's Misbah Ul Haq hit an unbeaten 102 against England in Dubai. Picture: AFP/Getty Images

England eked out four deserved wickets but fell foul of determined Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq on day one of the second Test in Dubai.

Mark Wood, especially, Ben Stokes and James Anderson all bowled admirably to limit the damage to 282 for four at stumps – despite Misbah’s unbeaten 102, and half-centuries too from his fellow veteran Younus Khan (56) and opener Shan Masood (54).

After losing the toss on another typically benign surface for the start of a Test in the United Arab Emirates, England did all that could be expected to stay in contention at least.

This will be another slow-burner of a contest, as was the first match of three last week, and England are likely to be up against it to stay level when they have to bat last as the surface starts to wear.

Misbah, who spoke on the eve of the match of avoiding the mishaps which almost cost Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, was true to his word in an uncompromising 192-ball stay which underpinned the recovery from 85 for three.

There was precious little help for England, but disciplined bowling – Adil Rashid and, to a lesser extent, Stuart Broad were the weaker links – and fine fielding stopped Pakistan taking complete control.

The ‘old firm’ stand of 93 between Misbah and Younus began to put an emphatic stamp on proceedings.

But as with the departure of Masood, to Anderson with the first ball of the afternoon, England struck again at the start of the evening session – Wood seeing off Younus – to keep Pakistan in relative check until Misbah upped the ante again just before stumps.

Two morning catches at short-leg by Jonny Bairstow, the second a stunning one rebounding off his chest from the full face of the bat to account for Shoaib Malik off Stokes, had ensured no early consolidation either after an ominous first hour.

Mooen Ali struck first when Mohammad Hafeez edged a hint of turn bat-pad to end an opening partnership of 51 – and then three overs later, Shoaib was unlucky to fall to such an outstanding piece of work from Bairstow.