ENG v PAK, 4th Test Day 1 Review: Moeen Ali lights up The Oval

Moeen Ali came up with the goods on Day One of the fourth test between England and Pakistan at The Oval with a magnificent and quickfire century. However, as far as Pakistan was concerned, it was yet another aspect of the previous Test where Sohail Khan picked yet another five-wicket haul and England were bowled out shortly before the end of the day’s play for a score in and around the 300-run zone.

The much-anticipated fourth and final Test was something with a clear banner on the top for Pakistan. They had to win. It really did not matter if it was ugly or nice, a win wold spare them of the blemishes of the poor performances in the previous Tests. In spite of this, Alastair Cook won the toss and opted to bat first. In spite of this, things got off to an awry start for both Cook and his England side.

Alex Hales as has been the trend, for the most part, this series was the first to go. This time, to a fine catch from Yasir Shah, perfectly poised for the flick off the pads to mid-wicket. Although not many realized it at the time, the catch was most certainly a clean one. Skipper Cook and his right-hand man Joe Root went about piling on the runs. However, a few short minutes later, Root un-mistakably nicked one to Sarfraz Ahmed. This was seemingly the beginning of the end as far as England was concerned.

They lost James Vince soon after when the latter’s failures with the bat continued. Gary Ballance also found himself falling victim to a somewhat inconsistent Wahab Riaz. At 92/4 and England stuttering, they broke for lunch on the day.

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The post lunch session was all about Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow renewing their liaison from the previous encounter at Edgbaston. Having begun in a slight aggressive fashion, Bairstow was given a get-out-of-jail-free card when Wahab Riaz’s no-ball was all that stood between him and the scalp of England’s wicketkeeper-batsman. Bairstow made them pay by smashing a brilliant knock of 55, something that supported the Moeen Ali century.

Moeen Ali blasted his way to a fine Test match ton, something he reached in style as well with a six. Moreover, the fact that he was supported for the most part by Chris Woakes was also something that showcased the importance and the batting depth in the England squad. It was late in the day when England was bowled out, a fine effort from the visitors as they were bowled out for 328.

However, in spite of claiming 10 wickets on the first day’s play, things began to go bad for Pakistan. Sami Aslam fell to what proved to be just three overs to be played in the day to yet another reverse-swinger from James Anderson.

Brief Scores

England, 1st innings: 328 all out (M Ali 108; Sohail 5/68)

Pakistan, 1st innings: 3/1

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