Taylor hit six boundaries during his knock of 74

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

England batsman James Taylor scored an unbeaten 74 to keep his side in total control against Pakistan on the second day of the third Test in Sharjah.

Starting off the day on 4/0, England lost Moeen Ali early before captain Alastair Cook and Ian Bell stabilised the innings with a 71-run partnership before Cook was caught by Azhar Ali at short leg off the bowling of Yasir Shah for 49.

Joe Root only managed to make four runs before he was caught behind off the bowling of Rahat Ali.

Bell went on to make 40 before he was stumped by Sarfraz Ahmed off the bowling of Shah.

With England having been reduced to 139/4, Taylor and Jonny Bairstow steered the innings back in the right direction with an unbeaten 83-run stand, during which Taylor brought up his maiden Test fifty, before stumps was called.

Taylor ended up finishing on 74 off 141 balls, which included six boundaries, while Bairstow remained undefeated on 37 off 94 deliveries, which included five boundaries.

Shah was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Ali and Shoaib Malik claimed one wicket each.

England ended day two on 222/4 and will continue batting tomorrow at 10:00 local time or 06:00 GMT.