Pakistan win despite England defiance

Cricket365
November 6, 2015

England's tailenders, led by Adil Rashid, put up a fine rearguard but could deny Pakistan victory on the final day of the second Test in Dubai, as Pakistan took a one-nil lead with one match left to play in the series.

Rashid batted for 172 balls and 239 minutes in compiling 61, his maiden Test fifty, but was the last wicket to fall with just under seven overs remaining in the match as the Three Lions fell to a 178-run defeat.

Stuart Broad, 30 from 72 balls and 70 minutes, and Mark Wood, 29 off 95 balls and 116 minutes, gave Rashid good support as England recovered from 193 for seven to almost hold out for a miraculous draw.

With last man James Anderson coming to the wicket, England still had 11 overs to survive but legspinner Yasir Shah got the final wicket amid huge celebrations from the Pakistan players.

To put the batting effort into context, the 137.3 overs bowled by Pakistan was the most they have ever bowled in the fourth innings of a Test match.

Earlier England slipped from their overnight score of 130 for three to 193 for seven when everybody must have made plans for the rest of the day as the game looked to be over quickly.

Batsman Joe Root (71), who resumed on 59 not out, fell early in the piece when left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar had him caught at slip by Younis Khan.

With their best batsman gone, the tourists collapsed under the heat and pressure of the Pakistan bowlers asYasir finished with figures of four for 87 while Zulfiqar claimed three for 53.

England will have to ponder about their team selection for the next Test, starting in Sharjah on 1 November. Moeen Ali's promotion to open the batting has failed while senior batsman Ian Bell and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler look hopelessly out of form.