England v Pakistan, 2nd Test, Manchester, Day 1 - Alastair Cook and Joe Root dominate Pakistan

The Manchester track was suitable for batting and it took little time for the English batsmen to settle down. Alex Hales was an easy wicket as usual, but it didn’t shake the English batting line-up as Alastair Cook and Joe Root motored the innings with authority.

Cook was in great touch. It was not one of those days when he exhibited painstaking concentration to build his innings, but was fluent and dominating. He used the bat straight enough and guarded his offstump well to script his 29th Test hundred. His wonderful knock was cut short by an inswinger from Mohammad Amir at the stroke of tea and still England didn’t lose momentum.

Joe Root was at his pristine best. This time around, there was no sense of desperation in his batsmanship and handled the four-men bowling attack of Pakistan brilliantly. There were some eye-catching strokes through the offside and along the V which hinted about his class and when it was needed, he slowed down his tempo to prolong his stay at the crease.

The significant thing about Cook and Root had been their technique against Yasir Shah. Their bat came down straight enough and both of them used their feet productively when it was time to fetch runs – a cultured knock.

Pakistan felt the need of the fifth bowler. Any bowling attack, no matter how competent they are, need the support of a makeshift bowler to ensure some balance and rest as well. As the services of Mohammad Hafeez is not available, Pakistan could have used Azhar Ali as an opener instead of Shaan Masood and allocate the number six spot either to Hamamd Azam or Haris Sohail.

Again, the Pakistani bowlers didn’t bring the English batsmen on the front foot enough to make them drive the ball on the up and the line was more on the middle and leg in search for the late swing – Root’s runs off the flick shots indicates such. Meanwhile, Yasir should rethink about the pace with which he delivered the ball. I think, he needs to deliver a bit faster on day 2.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar