Pakistan won by 178 runs, lead the series 1-0; England 312 all out
DUBAI // Pakistan eventually ended a courageous rearguard by England’s tailend batsmen to claim a 178 run win in Dubai.
Yasir Shah, who ended with four for 87, celebrated like a professional footballer, diving along on his chest, after ending Adil Rashid’s vigil.
Rashid, who has endured such a tough start to his Test career in his primary suit as a bowler, showed his has the heart for the battle of cricket’s longest format.
Coming in at No 8 for the tourists, he batted for 171 balls, posted his first half-century in whites for England, and came within 6.3 overs of saving the game for his side.
He was the last man out, caught by Zulfiqar Babar, as Pakistan sealed a win that gives them a 1-0 lead heading to the final Test in Sharjah, starting on Sunday.
Tea – England 285 for eight, trail by 205 runs
Adil Rashid led England’s battle against the seemingly inevitable, as the touring side took the Test match into its final session.
Rashid was on 47 not out at the tea interval, with Mark Wood at the other end on 17.
Pakistan will have 31 overs after the resumption in which to take the final remaining two wickets to force victory.
They took two in the afternoon session, with Ben Stokes falling shortly after the lunch break.
Having endured an awkward tussle with Pakistan’s spin-bowlers, it was ironic that the left-hander eventually fell to Imran Khan’s seamers, as he edged to slip for 13.
Wahab Riaz accounted for Stuart Broad. After another sustained spell of hostile fast bowling, Broad was bowled by the only ball which was directed at his stumps.
Lunch – England 187 for six, trail by 303
Pakistan's spin bowlers pushed their side closer to a 1-0 lead in the series, as the home side took three England wickets on the morning of the final day at Dubai International Stadium.
Zulfiqar Babar took the prized wicket of Joe Root, turning one to clip the Yorkshireman’s outside edge.
Younis Khan took the catch at slip when Root was on 71, meaning he had past 50 twice in the game, but failed to register three figures on each occasion.
Yasir Shah provided another lesson in high-class spin bowling. First he bowled Jonny Bairstow through the gate, ending a determined knock worth 22 from 86 deliveries.
Jos Buttler’s miserable tour continued when he edged a perfect Yasir leg-break to Younis, as he fell for just seven.
pradley@thenational.ae
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