SHARJAH, UAE — England put themselves in a perfect position to level the series against Pakistan on day one of the third and final Test in Sharjah, bowling out their hosts for 234 before reaching 4-0 at stumps.
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq’s 71, his 32nd Test fifty, provided some resistance but it was England’s bowlers who came away the happiest at the close.
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While the spinners provided the four wickets – Moeen Ali and Samit Patel taking two apiece – it was the seam of James Anderson and Stuart Broad that proved decisive.
Broad began with five consecutive maidens and came away with figures of 13-8-13-2 and Anderson 15-7-17-4.
Between them, England’s new ball bowlers took 6-30 from 28 overs, a remarkable return for their team.
Alastair Cook and Moeen then safely negotiated the two final overs of play remaining, Moeen providing the only scoring shot with a boundary off Yasir Shah.
The day had started badly for England, who inevitably lost the toss and were put in the field by Misbah, making it three unsuccessful coin flips out of three for Cook.
Despite calling the toss wrong, England continued with their knack of taking early wickets in this series as Azhar Ali edged Anderson to wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow without scoring in the third over of the day.
It left Pakistan 5-1 for the second time in three Tests, their opening partnership not registering more than its 51 first innings stand in Dubai.
It was an issue that Misbah and the Pakistan selectors had hoped to address by bringing in Ali to replace Shan Masood, whose 54 in Dubai was stark in its contrast of scores of 1, 1 and 2 in his other three innings.
The other four opening partnerships have now been worth a combined 14 runs, an evident blotch on Pakistan’s series so far, but not unheard of in Sharjah where the first innings opening partnership averaged 14 and was only worth 98 runs in the seven innings prior to this Test.
Pakistan have largely relied on their middle-order for the bulk of their run scoring but England managed to nullify their potency for large parts on day one, never allowing Pakistan’s batsmen to build on their starts.
Mohammad Hafeez erroneously gave his wicket away for 27 as he top-edged Moeen to Broad at deep square-leg before Shoaib Malik (38) knicked Broad to Bairstow and Younis Khan (31) perished lbw to a low full-toss from Anderson.
England looked threatening and the early spin on display seemed to justify their selection of third spinner Patel for the rested Mark Wood.
Pakistan all out 234, with @jimmy9 getting Rahat as the last man. He took 4-17 today on a spinning wicket #class pic.twitter.com/fTPjNRskYn
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 1, 2015
There was an early worry for England when Patel dislocated a finger on his bowling just two balls into his first spell but the Nottinghamshire all-rounder continued and showed encouraging signs thanks to early turn and control.
He was rewarded for his positive start in the afternoon session as Asad Shafiq’s slow burner of an innings came to an end, the right-hander edging Patel to Bairstow.
Prodding forward on the front foot, Shafiq’s outside edge provided the only touch, Patel once again finding the pitch remarkably receptive to spin very early on.
Shafiq struggled throughout his innings, scoring 5 from 34 balls and only getting off the mark with the 22nd delivery that he faced.
At the other end, Misbah was also taking his time as he went about denying an England bowling attack firmly on top by the time tea came around.
By the end of the afternoon session, Pakistan were taking stock on 148-5.
However, Sarfraz Ahmed and Misbah set about rebuilding the hosts’ first innings as the pair put on 80 for the sixth wicket.
Cook and @MoeenAli survived unscathed and the latter boomed Shah for a one-bounce four. ENG 4-0 #PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/0GWanfdf8A
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) November 1, 2015
Sarfraz was a more fluid prospect for the England bowlers, initially scoring at a notably quicker rate than his team-mates could manage on a Sharjah pitch that provided every bowler with interest in the infancy of this Test match.
He was given a life on 33, Anderson wearing a top edge at slip off Rashid rather than completing the catch.
By the time Sarfraz did depart – picking out Joe Root at deep mid-wicket off Moeen – it gave England an hour to bowl at a Pakistan tail desperately short on runs.
Wahab Riaz soon followed, bowled by Patel for 0 as England turned the screw once more. Shah soon followed for 7 to Broad before Anderson removed Misbah and then Ali as Pakistan were bowled out inside day one.
England were, however, dealt a major blow in the final session as all-rounder Ben Stokes left the field with an injury to his right shoulder.
Stokes will have a scan at hospital on Monday before knowing the full extent of the injury at teatime on day two.
It was disappointing for England, who otherwise had a fine day at the office on a pitch that looks likely to force a result with plenty of time to spare.
The ball turned, seamed, swung and offered variable bounce, ominous signs so early on for batsmen on both sides.
