After claiming the final wicket to seal Pakistan’s win over England, Yasir Shah indulged in the sort of footballers’ celebration, sliding on his chest, of which his lookalike Lionel Messi would have been proud.
It meant Pakistan will make the short trip to Sharjah for next week’s final Test with the comfort of knowing they cannot lose the series.
Given the impressive form of Misbah-ul-Haq’s side, though, they will only be thinking about a second victory. Here are some takeaways from the second Test.
Rashid’s rash stroke
Adil Rashid played a heroic rearguard and nearly saved England – only to give it away with 6.3 overs left when he chipped Yasir to Zulfiqar Babar.
The looseness of the shot was in total contrast to the dogged resilience he had shown for the rest of the 239 minutes he spent at the crease.
“They weren’t in any sort of hurry and there wasn’t any panic,” said Misbah, the opposing captain.
“When you’re playing like that and you’re not worried about a good ball and you’re just concentrating on the next one – sometimes it happens.
“It’s all a game of patience and they obviously gave us a tough time and took the game so close. But, that’s the beauty of this game and I think that’s why we all love this game and we all want play and we all want to see this game.”
Pakistan’s run machines
After injury and then a family bereavement precluded his involvement in the first two Tests, Azhar Ali will be ready for a recall in Sharjah. But where to fit him in?
Pakistan’s batsmen are usually good in the UAE, but these really are times of plenty. Five of their top six scored at least a half-century in this match, with three of them going past that landmark twice in the game.
And the only one to miss out, Shoaib Malik, scored a daddy double-hundred last time out.
Oddly, the deciding factor might even come down to the quality of fielding at short leg. Shan Masood missed three bat-pad catches on the final day in Dubai, and Azhar is a specialist in that position.
Chop and change
A case could be made for a variety of changes to England’s XI for the match in Sharjah. The Moeen Ali experiment at the top of the order has not worked out in two Tests so far.
Ian Bell might have staved off the claims of James Taylor by his performance in the second innings, but 50 runs overs the two innings is hardly a formidable case.
More than anyone else, though, Jos Buttler, appears a broken man. A dropped catch in the second innings, one missed entirely, and innings of nought and seven make for sorry reading.
“Test cricket is a real tough time when you are struggling,” Cook said of Buttler. “I have been there numerous times. I thought the way he went about his business on these five days, he is doing everything right, he is just not getting a break.”
Paranoia over Cook
All of the above assumes Alastair Cook, England’s captain, will be fit to take his place at the top of the order on Sunday.
Cook never misses Test matches. Only Allan Border has played a longer unbroken run of Tests than the run Cook is currently on.
So the fact he was visibly struggling in the field and with the bat was notable – even if only for novelty value.
Yet England said there was nothing to see here. All was, in fact, fine and dandy. Then once play was underway on the final day, it was revealed he had been suffering from a groin complaint all along.
“Jimmy Anderson told me to drink a glass of cement to toughen up,” Cook said. “I should be fine.”
pradley@thenational.ae
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