England chase consolation victory
February 05, 2012 14:07:29 UK
England need Alastair Cook to impress if they are to push for victory.England need a further 288 to win the third and final Test against Pakistan in Dubai after closing day three on 36 without loss in their second innings.
The tourists started the day staring down the barrel with Pakistan 222-2 in their second innings, but a strong show from spin duo Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann helped put the brakes on Pakistan's charge.
Younus Khan was first to depart as he was trapped leg before by Stuart Broad for a superb 127, before Panesar and Swann took over and combined to bowl Pakistan out for 365.
Azhar Ali held the innings together with a superb 157, which included ten fours and a six, before he was eventually the ninth man out, becoming one of four lbw decisions gained by Panesar, who finished with 5-124 from nearly 57 overs.
Swann chipped in with 3-101 to leave England chasing an unlikely 324 to gain a consolation win, with the series already lost after defeats in the opening two Test matches.
Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook saw them safely through to the close without losing a wicket, but England are now 1.001 to win the game, with Pakistan 1.001 and an unlikely draw 1.001.
Meanwhile, England have been boosted by the return to the UAE of fast bowler Tim Bresnan, who is set to feature in the ODI and T20 action after missing the Test series due to an elbow problem.
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