Historic run-chase bars England’s bid for victory in must-win final Test against Pakistan
Seamer James Anderson has backed England to make history and complete their highest ever fourth-innings run-chase in Asia during the final day of the third Test against Pakistan today.
The tourists must amass 284 to secure victory and level the series at 1-1 after Pakistan were dismissed for 355 in their second innings. England were 46-2 at the close.
England chased down 209 to beat Bangladesh in Dhaka in 2010, their highest successful fourth-innings hunt in Asia, which included an unbeaten century from skipper Alastair Cook, as he and Kevin Pietersen shared a 167-run stand.
If England are to level the series then Cook is likely to have to underpin their innings once again, especially with all-rounder Ben Stokes’ batting set to be severely impaired by a collar bone injury.
“We are going to have to bat very well, it’s going to be difficult on a fifth-day wicket against their spinners, but we are going to give it a good shot,” said Anderson.
“We don’t want to leave the UAE with nothing. We think we’ve played pretty well throughout this series and it would be nice if we could get something out of it.
“We have seen the way Pakistan batted in their second innings. They were positive and they took good options and I think if we do that there is a good chance.
“We are going to need a few people to bat very, very well and get a couple of big partnerships, but there is no reason why we can’t."
England’s hopes were severely dented by the loss of Moeen Ali and Ian Bell late in the day. Both fell in the space of 13 deliveries to retiring all-rounder Shoaib Malik. Cook and vice-captain Joe Root – the top Test run-scorers in 2015 – will resume the innings.
Moeen has now scored 84 runs in six knocks since being promoted to the top of the batting order, while Bell’s duck, meaning he is without a Test century since April, raised further questions over his international future.
Pakistan opener Mohammad Hafeez was the principal thorn in England’s side earlier in the day with a gargantuan score of 151, his ninth Test ton, as Cook’s side were punished for mistakes and missed opportunities in the field.