Hafeez celebrates after scoring his ninth Test century

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

England were set a target of 284 to win on the fourth day of the third Test in Sharjah even though Pakistan opener Mohammad Hafeez scored a spectacular 151.

Starting off the day on 146/3, Hafeez took the attack to England despite the loss of Rahat Ali and captain Misbah-ul-Haq. However, his resistance was brought to an end when he was caught by Ian Bell at long-on off the bowling of Moeen Ali.

Hafeez’s sensational innings of 151 came off 266 balls and included 15 boundaries and three sixes.

Following Hafeez’s dismissal, Sarfraz Ahmed and Asad Shafiq took over as they scored 36 and 46 respectively as Pakistan scored 355, which left England needing 284 to win, before being bowled out.

Stuart Broad was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while James Anderson snapped up two and Ali, Samit Patel and Adil Rashid chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Chasing 284 to win, England got off to a horrible start as Ali and Bell were dismissed in quick succession by Shoaib Malik.

Having been reduced to 34/2, England captain Alastair Cook and Joe Root amassed an unbeaten 12-run partnership before stumps was called.

Cook finished on 17 off 59 balls, which included one boundary, while Root remained undefeated on six.

Malik was the only bowler to take any wickets.

England ended day four on 46/2 and will continue batting tomorrow at 10:00 local time or 06:00 GMT.