England fight-back with unbeaten century stand
Investec Test: England v Pakistan at Birmingham, Aug 3-7, 2016
England 297 ao off 86 ov, AN Cook 45 off 52, 8 fours, GS Balance 70 off 150, 11 fours, MM Ali 63 off 118, 7 fours, Sohali Khan 96-5, Mohammad Amir 53-2, Rahat Ali 83-2, Yasir Shah 64-1
England second Innings 120/0 off 35 ov, AN Cook 64 not out off 96, 7 fours, Alex Hales 50 not out off 116, 9 fours, Rahat Ali 20-0
Pakistan 400 ao off 136 ov, Sami Aslan 82 off 176, 9 fours, Azhar Ali 139, 283, 15 fours, 1 six, Misbah-ul-Haq 56 off 107, 6 fours, Sarfaraz Ahmed 46 not out off 91, 5 fours, JM Anderson 54-2, SCJ Broad 83-3, CR Woakes 79-3
Pakistan went on to score 400 runs, a first innings lead of 103 runs. Pakistan’s last eight wickets fell for 143, as the last five managed only 42 once Misbah-ul-Haq was out after scoring his half century. England seamers bowled well as Chris Woakes picked up 3 wickets. In reply England openers both passed 50 and at the close of play were 120 with 10 wickets remaining. Cook reached his 67 ball, fifty and closed on 61, and become England’s leading run-scorer across all formats overtaking Kevin Pietersen. Hales showed determination and brought his fifty from 116 balls off the final delivery of the day.