England fight back after Malik’s maiden double century

A double century by Shoaib Malik and his 248-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Asad Shafiq gave Pakistan the upper hand at the end of the second day of the first Test against England.

Chasing a massive Pakistan first-innings total of 523-8 declared, England’s openers made an assured start and were 56 without loss at close.

Captain Alastair Cook was unbeaten on 39, while his new opening partner Moeen Ali was on 15.

Pakistan’s innings was built around Malik’s 245 in his first Test in more than five years, and a record-equalling eighth Test century by Shafiq (107).

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Starting the day on 286-4, England’s hopes hinged on a couple of quick early wickets with the new ball, which was used for just three overs on Tuesday, but Malik and Shafiq dug in and Pakistan did not lose a single wicket in the first two sessions.

Malik’s previous highest was 148 not out against Sri Lanka in Colombo in March 2006, and he crossed that mark and reached his 150 with a streaky shot of Mark Wood.

Malik’s innings lasted more than 10 hours and he faced 420 balls for his 245. He came in at the fall of the first wicket with the score on five in the third over and he was seventh to go in the 150th over.

Captain Misbah-ul Haq then declared the innings a couple of overs later when Zulfiqar Babar became the fourth victim of Ben Stokes, the most successful England bowler with 4-57.

Pakistan has played seven Test matches at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, winning four, including the last two by massive margins against Australia (356 runs) and New Zealand (248 runs) and drawing the other three. They won the only Test match here against England by 72 runs in 2012.

Scorecard:

Pakistan 523-8d (Malik 245, Stokes 4-57)

England 56-0 (Cook 39*, Shafiq 0-2)