Sloppy Pakistan allow England to take command

By Khalid Hussain

August 12, 2016

Moeen hits ton as Sohail Khan takes his second five-wicket haul of the series on Day One at The Oval

LONDON: With the world No. 1 spot in their sights, England were on top after compiling 328 in overcast conditions here at The Oval on Thursday and then scalping young Pakistan opener Sami Aslam cheaply on Day One of their fourth and final Test.

Moeen Ali continued from where he left at Edgbaston, hitting a 152-ball 108 to lift England from 110-5 and put them in a commanding position from where they can take a shot at a 3-1 series triumph.

Returning to the line-up after missing the third Test, a fired up Wahab Riaz (3-93) bowled the fastest spell of the series as Sohail Khan picked up another five-wicket haul (5-68). Mohammad took the other two wickets for 80.

But despite the fact that the conditions were just right for the pacers on a greenish wicket, Pakistan allowed England to make 328, a total which may well turn out to be sufficient for them.

Under dark skies, Pakistan faced three tricky overs bowled by the pace duo of Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad. On the 11th ball of the innings, Broad’s fifth, Sami was trapped LBW and failed to get a reprieve after opting for a review. The tourists were 3-1 with Azhar Ali (0 off 8 balls) and night-watchman Yasir Shah (0 off I ball) on the creasing. They now face the daunting task of tackling the English pace battery on the second day of a Test that they have to win draw the series.

It could have been a different story.

Moeen was the chief reason why England crossed the 300-run mark. He punished Pakistan for dropping him at 9 and again on 15 — this one though wasn’t more than a technical chance.

The gritty left-hander hoisted a six over deep midwicket off Yasir Shah to complete his third Test ton that came off 140 balls and included 12 fours and two sixers. It was his 93-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Jonny Bairstow (55) that took England out of stormy waters. Moeen also put on 79 runs in a seventh-wicket stand with Chris Woakes (45 off 57 balls).

Moeen should have been back in the dressing room much earlier. But Azhar Ali dropped him at third slip when he was at 9. The same fielder allowed Moin another let-off though it was less than a half chance as a clip off Moeen’s pads struck the fielder on the chest and rebounded out of his reach.

Before that debutant Iftikhar Ahmed, who came in for the out-of-form Mohammad Hafeez, dropped England captain Alistair Cook in the slips. Cook didn’t last long but Bairstow did after being allowed a no-ball reprieve at 13. Wahab, who was in full flow during a superb spell in which he bowled the fast ball of the series at 92.2 mph, was the bowler.

Moin has now scored 257 runs in his last three outings against Pakistan. He finally fell in the 77th over holing out to Yasir Shah at deep square leg to give Sohail his second five-wicket haul in this series.

Pakistan were untidy both in the field and with the ball as they conceded 30 extras including eight no-balls and seven wides.

Agencies add: Earlier, Bairstow and Moeen made battling fifties to lift England to 200 for five at tea.

The pair came together with the hosts in deep trouble at 110 for five after winning the toss, Bairstow moving on to 55 not out at the interval with Moeen unbeaten on 52.

Pakistan claimed four wickets in the morning session, removing Alex Hales, Alastair Cook, Joe Root and James Vince in quick succession before England limped to 92 for four at lunch.

Gary Ballance became Wahab’s third victim shortly after the interval when he was caught by Azhar Ali for eight and Bairstow, on 13, was caught off a no ball.

Pakistan also spilled Moeen twice and the pair grew in confidence, Bairstow hitting seven fours and Moeen a six and seven fours to drag their side back into the match as they bid to clinch the series they lead 2-1.

The touring side took advantage of overcast conditions in the morning, inspired by Wahab.

Hales, on six, was caught by Yasir Shah at mid-wicket off Mohammad Amir and Cook, on 35, dragged a short ball from Sohail Khan on to his stumps.

Root moved fluently on to 26 before he nicked Wahab to wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed and the left-armer produced a venomous delivery to account for Vince (one) in similar fashion.

Score Board

England won toss

England 1st innings

*A N Cook b Sohail 35

A D Hales c Yasir b Amir 6

J E Root c Sarfraz b Wahab 26

J M Vince c Sarfraz b Wahab 1

G S Ballance c Azhar b Wahab 8

†J M Bairstow c Sarfraz b Amir 55

M M Ali c Yasir b Sohail 108

C R Woakes c Sarfraz b Sohail 45

S C J Broad lbw b Sohail 0