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Rediff.com  » Cricket » PHOTOS: Pakistan ahead despite England's fightback
This article was first published 12 years ago

PHOTOS: Pakistan ahead despite England's fightback

Last updated on: January 18, 2012 21:47 IST

Image: Graeme Swann celebrates after picking up the wicket of Misbah ul Haq
Photographs: Getty Images

Off-spinner Graeme Swann trapped Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul Haq in the penultimate over of the second day to help England fight back in the first Test in Dubai.

- Scorecard | Match Report

Misbah's 13th half-century -- his 11th in 13 Tests as captain -- had kept Pakistan in a good position after openers Mohammad Hafeez had made 88 and Taufiq Umar 58 on a slow turning Dubai Stadium pitch.

But Swann trapped Misbah in front with a sharp incoming delivery and had the not out decision by New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden overturned by the Decision Review System (DRS) to boost England's cause.

Misbah had put on a valuable 52 runs for the sixth wicket with wicket-keeper batsman Adnan Akmal, who was unbeaten on a gritty 24.

Impressive Anderson

Image: James Anderson celebrates after picking the wicket of Abdul Rehman
Photographs: Getty Images

James Anderson ended the day on a high note for his team when he bowled Abdul Rehman (four) in the last over to leave Pakistan at 288-7 at the close, a lead of 96 over England's first innings total of 192.

Misbah's wicket has seemingly brought England back in the match.

The Pakistani skipper had hit five boundaries during his 154-ball knock.Before Misbah, Pakistan lost the crucial wicket of Younis Khan (37) on the stroke of tea when the experienced batsman offered no stroke to part-timer Jonathan Trott's incoming delivery and was adjudged leg-before.

England took the second new ball and Anderson's first over with it brought the downfall of Asad Shafiq (16) to leave Pakistan at 231-5, in danger of being dismissed for a small lead.

Hafeez misses out on a ton

Image: Mohammad Hafeez
Photographs: Getty Images

It was paceman Broad who gave England the breakthrough in the morning session after the Pakistani openers, resuming at 42-0, played out the first 90 minutes without being separated.

Broad bowled Umar with a beautiful delivery which held its line and hit the off-stump, just one ball after Chris Tremlett dropped Hafeez off a miscued hook which resulted in a single.

Umar hit ten boundaries in his 58 and was sedate during his 113-ball stay at the crease.

Three overs later, Broad swung one away from Azhar Ali and had him caught behind by wicket-keeper Matt Prior, much to the jubilation of his teammates -- Ali made just one.

England, who were poor against off-spinner Saeed Ajmal (7-55) on day one, were well short of their best in fielding.

It was Umar who reached his fifty first, hitting Swann for two consecutive boundaries to complete his 13th Test half-century.

Hafeez reached his seventh with a single off Tremlett.

Swann finally dismissed Hafeez with a full pitched delivery as the batsmen missed a sweep.

Hafeez hit eleven boundaries and a six during his solid 164-ball knock. Swann, who took 2-89, failed to trouble the batsmen like Ajmal did on Tuesday but his late wicket brought England back in the match.

Broad and Anderson also had two wickets apiece.