Pakistan V England 1st Test day 1 Review: Malik makes hundred on Test return

Pakistan V England 1^st Test day 1 Review: Malik makes hundred on Test return: Shoaib Malik drafted earlier as the 16^th Man in the Pakistan squad made a fabulous century on his long-awaited Test return to ensure Pakistan dominated the opening day of the Test series against England in Abu Dhabi. Opener Mohammad Hafeez fell just two short of a well-deserved ton on a day where England bowlers struggled to create substantial impact.

Earlier Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss on a hot day and had no hesitation in asking the visitors to field. The absence of a reserve spinner and Zahar Gofar not able to fly in time due to Visa problems meant Pakistan were forced to play 3 spinners, a prospect Misbah didn’t like at all. He was pretty vocal at the mismanagement that lead to this in his chat with Atherton at the toss. Adil Rashid made his debut for the English side who were playing with 5 bowlers.

The pitch had a hint of grass and Jimmy Anderson and Mark Wood capitalized on it. After a troublesome stay at the crease, Shan Masood was caught unaware when James Anderson brought out the surprise short delivery. He got himself into an almighty tangle, as the ball ricocheted off the grill and went on to disturb the stumps. That wicket took Anderson on par with the legendary Wasim Akram’s tally of 414 Test scalps.

Having lost an early wicket Hafeez and Shoaib Malik decided to drop anchor and played the bowling on merit. The former was dropped on 7 by Bell in the slips when he had just made 7. He made sure that England rue that chance as he went on to made a fabulous 98. England managed to keep it tight for much of the morning session, but the wickets weren’t coming.

Also read: Stuart Broad gets Shoaib Malik out on a no ball

Midway through the first hour of the afternoon session, Shoaib squirted an angled delivery from Broad straight into Joe Root’s midriff at gully. Instantly, however, the third umpire zoomed in on Broad’s front foot, which had clearly landed the wrong side of the popping crease. Shoaib too, like Hafeez, went on to take advantage and hit a classy ton on his Test return after 5 years. He added 168 for the second wicket with Hafeez before Mr. Professor was dismissed LBW to Stokes.

Meanwhile, Malik got to his 3^rd Test century in a classic comeback innings. He had averaged 100 in the ODIs this year to earn a Test call up and truly deserved the applause he got.

Malik was joined at the crease by the veteran Younis Khan and instantly the feeling of witnessing an impending achievement engulfed the sparse crowd at Abu Dhabi. Younis needed only 19 more runs to eclipse Javed Miandad as Pakistan’s leading run-scorer.

He eventually went past Miandad’s long held record of 8832 Test runs in style sending Moeen Ali over the deep mid wicket fence. The innings though wasn’t a long one as Younis fell prey to some clever field placement by Alastair Cook. He chipped a delivery straight to the English skipper in what can only be described as a tame mode of dismissal.

Misbah-ul-Haq fell under controversial circumstances when he was adjudged caught-behind by the third umpire. There was a sound as the James Anderson delivery passed Misbah’s bat, but the on-field umpire ruled it not out. England reviewed the decision but multiple replays failed to give conclusive evidence of the ball having touched the willow. Just when everybody was expecting a not out call what came was the reverse.

England’s sorry day on the field was exacerbated by another drop catch. The culprit was once again poor old Ian Bell. Another teaser from Anderson drove Asad Shafiq into the shot, the outside edge was taken and a regulation catch was clanged.

Overview of the Day

While Younis ended Javed Miandad’s long-held record of being Pakistan’s top run-getter in Tests, it was Shoaib Malik’s unbeaten ton on Test comeback that garnered all the attention. Playing a Test after five years, Malik switched seamlessly between attack and defense to put England under the pump.

Md. Hafeez batted equally well himself and was unfortunate to miss out on his first ton against England by 2 runs. England’s pacers outdid their spinners but were let down by some extremely poor catching and their no-ball problems. They had a decent final session but will now switch to damage control mode tomorrow if this partnership extends any further.

What can we expect on Day 2

In hot conditions and on a pitch offering very little assistance to bowlers, England will surely rue not taking their chances as Pakistan can look towards building a dominant total. The tourists have lacked bite in their backup bowling.

Brief Scores

Pakistan 1^st Innings

Pak – 286/4  (Malik 124*, Hafeez 98, Anderson 2-29, 87 Overs Day 1 Stumps)