Alastair Cook played a magnificent innings for England against Pakistan in the first Test © Getty Images
England ended Day Four on 569 for 8 against Pakistan in the first Test at Abu Dhabi and have taken a 46-run lead over their opponents. With the match almost certain to end in a draw, it will be interesting to see England’s approach on Day Five. Alastair Cook scored a mammoth 263, which helped his side post such a huge score after Pakistan had declared their innings at 523 for 8, courtesy of a double ton from Shoaib Malik and a century from Asad Shafiq. Pakistan bowlers toiled hard through the day on Day Four, but could not restrict England like they would have wanted to. Wahab Riaz however reaped benefits as he picked up three wickets. Malik carried on his good from the bat into his bowling as well as he chipped in with a couple of wickets as well. Live scorecard: Pakistan vs England 2015, 1st Test Day 5 at Abu Dhabi
Pakistan will now want to knock the remaining four wickets off as early as they can. England on the other hand will want their tail to hang in there as long as they can, which will be good practice for the remaining matches to come. Adil Rashid and Stuart Broad are the two unbeaten batsmen for England. James Anderson is the only batsman to follow. READ: Alastair Cook’s 263 guides England to 569/8 on Day 4 of 1st Test vs Pakistan
Brief scores:
Pakistan 523 for 8 (Shoaib Malik 245, Asad Shafiq 107; Ben Stokes 4 for 57) trail England 569 for 8 (Alastair Cook 263, Joe Root 85; Wahab Riaz 3 for 116, Shoaib Malik 2 for 97) by 46 runs.