Cook celebrates after scoring his double century
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
England captain Alastair Cook continued to lead the charge against Pakistan as he scored his third double century and broke the record for the longest innings by an English batsman on the fourth day of the first Test in Abu Dhabi.
Cook was well supported by batsman Joe Root, who scored 85, and all-rounder Ben Stokes, who made 57.
Starting out the day on 290/3, Cook and Root converted their five-run partnership into a 141-run stand, during which Cook brought up his double hundred and Root his half-century, before Root was caught behind off the bowling of Rahat Ali.
Root’s brilliant innings of 85 came off 143 balls and included seven boundaries.
Root continued to excel with the bat
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Despite losing Jonny Bairstow soon after, England continued to stay in control as Cook and Stokes proceeded to amass a 91-run partnership, during which Stokes registered his half-century, before he threw his wicket away by galloping down the track and missing the ball, which went on to crash into his stumps.
Stokes’ solid knock of 57 came off 87 deliveries and included seven boundaries.
Stokes smashed seven boundaries during his innings of 57
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
To the dismay of the England fans in attendance, Cook did not last much longer as his sparkling innings finally came to an end when he was caught by Shan Masood at backward square leg after top-edging a sweep shot off the bowling of Shoaib Malik.
However, upon further review it seemed as if Cook should not have been given out as Malik bowled a huge no-ball as his foot was well over the line.
But, since the umpires failed to spot it, Cook was sent on his way after making 263 off 528 balls, which included 18 boundaries.
Jos Buttler was the next to go as he was caught by Asad Shafiq at cover off the bowling of Zulfiqar Babar for 23.
However, just when it seemed as if England may start to lose wickets in a hurry, debutant Adil Rashid and Stuart Broad put together an unbeaten six-run partnership before stumps was called.
Rashid finished on six, while Broad has yet to get off the mark.
Wahab Riaz was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Malik snapped up two and Babar, Ali and Imran Khan claimed one wicket each.
England ended day four on 569/8 and will continue batting tomorrow at 10:00 local time or 06:00 GMT.