A magnificent century by Mohammad Hafeez sees Pakistan in the driving seat as they set a target of 282 for England to win the final Test.
By PakPassion.net Staff (4th November, 2015)
First Session: Pakistan lost Rahat Ali early on Day 4, bowled by James Anderson. Meanwhile Hafeez eventually reached his century despite almost being stumped and LBW in the first over of the day. Misbah had joined him, and the pair put on a solid partnership to ensure England would have a tough chase.
They put on 77 in the 26 overs they batted together before lunch, taking the lead to 157.
Second Session: Hafeez continued on his merry way, looking a class apart as he pounced on numerous long hops by the England spinners. Misbah though, fell to the new ball for 38, trapped in front by Stuart Broad when the batsman was perhaps expecting a bouncer.
It brought the in-form Asad Shafiq to the crease and he played some gorgeous shots to ensure the momentum stayed with the home side. Hafeez meanwhile reached 150 before he unnecessarily slogged Moeen and was caught at long on. Sarfraz and Shafiq then knocked the ball around to build another useful partnership and take the lead over 200.
Sarfraz fell for a run a ball 36 to Patel, and Yasir Shah was dismissed by Rashid on the stroke of Tea. At that point, Pakistan led by 247 with 2 wickets left.
Third Session: Shafiq and Wahab looked to plunder some quick runs after the break, and were successful in doing so. Eventually Shafiq fell to Broad and then Wahab was run out shortly after, leaving England a tricky 284 to win.
The visitors got off to a very positive start, clearly with the intention of putting pressure back on Pakistan. Spinners were brought on early and it was Shoaib Malik, in his final Test, that caused the most problems. First, he had Moeen Ali LBW before Ian Bell was bowled for a duck to leave England struggling on 34/2.
Cook and Bell saw England through to 46/2 at the close, requiring another 238 to win on Day 5.
Summary: Another good day for Pakistan. Hafeez's 151 helped set a tough target for England, thanks also to useful contributions from Shafiq and Sarfraz.
Shoaib Malik then came to the party with 2 crucial wickets. England still aren't out of the game but it will be a seriously difficult ask for the batsmen to see off the threat of the spinners on Day 5.
Fall of wickets:
4-152 (Rahat Ali, 54.6 ov),
5-245 (Misbah-ul-Haq, 85.1 ov),
6-257 (Mohammad Hafeez, 88.5 ov),
7-312 (Sarfraz Ahmed, 104.5 ov),
8-319 (Yasir Shah, 109.2 ov)
9-354 (Asad Shafiq, 117.3 ov),
10-355 (Wahab Riaz, 118.2 ov)
1-34 (Ali, 11.6 ov),
2-34 (Bell, 13.6 ov)