Stumps: Joe Root provides the rearguard as England face uphill task to save Dubai Test — Day 4

Live from the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Paul Radley provides updates from Day 4 of the Pakistan v England Test as the visitors look set for defeat having lost two wickets in their pursuit of Pakistan's set total.

Joe Root, left, reached his half-century on Day 4 and will be key to England's hopes of saving a draw. Marwan Naamani / AFP

Morning — Pakistan 311 for four, lead by 447

DUBAI // Younis Khan continued to press home Pakistan’s advantage as he notched up his 31st Test ton and third against England.

Pakistan’s leading Test run-scorer went to the lunch interval on 112 not out, as the host side extended their stranglehold against the suffering touring bowlers.

England managed just the wicket of Misbah-ul-Haq in the morning session. Pakistan’s captain slapped James Anderson to mid-off, meaning he missed out on a second century in the game.

Asad Shafiq has three more to make after the resumption to pass 50 yet again on a ground he always excels at.

Afternoon — England 45 for two, trail by 445 runs

A Test full of woe for England went from bad to worse when Alastair Cook gingerly limped his way through the afternoon session on day 4 at the Dubai International Stadium.

The captain had laboured in the field, then was barely mobile with the bat, before he fell after top edging a sweep shot off Yasir Shah’s leg-spin to Wahab Riaz in the deep when on 10.

With a short turnaround until the Sharjah Test, which starts next Sunday, the captain’s participation looks a doubt. In all likelihood, they will be 1-0 down by then, too.

Misbah-ul-Haq called time on Pakistan’s second innings when Asad Shafiq fell lbw to Moeen Ali’s off-spin, having made 77.

It meant England were given the nominal target of 491 to win the game. Their greater concern, though, will have been the 144 overs they need to navigate to save the game.

Stumps — England 130 for three, trail by 360 runs

Joe Root scored a second half-century in the Test to ensure England at least pushed the game into a final day.

The chances of them heading to Sharjah for next week’s final Test still at level pegging seem highly unlikely, though.

The Yorkshireman survived a captivating tussle with Wahab Riaz, Pakistan’s main destroyer in the first innings, to reach stumps unbeaten on 59.

His main ally in the session, though, failed to make it to the end. After his recent poor form, Ian Bell looked as though he was finding some of his old sure touch, as he reached 46.

He then succumbed in agonising fashion, with the ball brushing his glove as he attempted to leave it from Zulfiqar Babar, the left-arm spinner bowling around the wicket. Younis Khan took the simple catch at slip and it was given out after television review.

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