England face a huge task to save the First Test against Pakistan after Shaoib Malik produced a batting masterlass.
A 248-run fifth wicket partnership between Malik, who was finally out for 245, and Asad Shafiq, led Pakistan to a position of impregnability on day two in Abu Dhabi as England’s bowlers suffered another day of toil.
England went wicket-less throughout the opening two sessions as any dreams of wrapping up the Pakistan innings early evaporated in the UAE sun.
Malik and Shafiq, who had both been given lives on day one, played chanceless innings on day two. Malik reached 200 for the first time in his first-class career, with Shafiq registering his eighth Test century soon after.
Malik’s innings in particular was memorable for its patience, pace and solidity throughout and, with Misbah-Ul-Haq’s future unclear, he could prove to be a crucial player in times of transition.
Adil Rashid, meanwhile, had the debut of nightmares, troubling few of the batsmen and failing to bowl a single maiden in the 36 overs he delivered. His figures of 0/168 were the most expensive on debut in the history of cricket when a bowler has failed to take a wicket.
After remaining unbeaten until tea, Pakistan would have been targeting 600 when they came out after the break, but Ben Stokes chipped in with three quick wickets that resulted in a declaration with the score at 523/8.
That left new opening pair Alastair Cook and Moeen Ali to play out the final hour of play and they did so without much in the way of drama, finishing the day on 56/0.
They will know there is still plenty to do tomorrow, however, before they will feel they secure about saving the Test.
