Joe Root, left, reached his half-century on Day 4 and will be key to England's hopes of saving a draw. Marwan Naamani / AFP
Joe Root, left, reached his half-century on Day 4 and will be key to England's hopes of saving a draw. Marwan Naamani / AFP

Stumps: Joe Root provides the rearguard as England face uphill task to save Dubai Test — Day 4



Morning — Pakistan 311 for four, lead by 447

DUBAI // Younis Khan continued to press home Pakistan’s advantage as he notched up his 31st Test ton and third against England.

Pakistan’s leading Test run-scorer went to the lunch interval on 112 not out, as the host side extended their stranglehold against the suffering touring bowlers.

England managed just the wicket of Misbah-ul-Haq in the morning session. Pakistan’s captain slapped James Anderson to mid-off, meaning he missed out on a second century in the game.

Asad Shafiq has three more to make after the resumption to pass 50 yet again on a ground he always excels at.

Afternoon — England 45 for two, trail by 445 runs

A Test full of woe for England went from bad to worse when Alastair Cook gingerly limped his way through the afternoon session on day 4 at the Dubai International Stadium.

The captain had laboured in the field, then was barely mobile with the bat, before he fell after top edging a sweep shot off Yasir Shah’s leg-spin to Wahab Riaz in the deep when on 10.

With a short turnaround until the Sharjah Test, which starts next Sunday, the captain’s participation looks a doubt. In all likelihood, they will be 1-0 down by then, too.

Misbah-ul-Haq called time on Pakistan’s second innings when Asad Shafiq fell lbw to Moeen Ali’s off-spin, having made 77.

It meant England were given the nominal target of 491 to win the game. Their greater concern, though, will have been the 144 overs they need to navigate to save the game.

Stumps — England 130 for three, trail by 360 runs

Joe Root scored a second half-century in the Test to ensure England at least pushed the game into a final day.

The chances of them heading to Sharjah for next week’s final Test still at level pegging seem highly unlikely, though.

The Yorkshireman survived a captivating tussle with Wahab Riaz, Pakistan’s main destroyer in the first innings, to reach stumps unbeaten on 59.

His main ally in the session, though, failed to make it to the end. After his recent poor form, Ian Bell looked as though he was finding some of his old sure touch, as he reached 46.

He then succumbed in agonising fashion, with the ball brushing his glove as he attempted to leave it from Zulfiqar Babar, the left-arm spinner bowling around the wicket. Younis Khan took the simple catch at slip and it was given out after television review.

RELATED:

Day 3 reaction: Wahab Riaz happy to 'help the team' as Pakistan put England on the ropes in Dubai

Day 3 report: Pakistan extend their lead after England's morning collapse on Day 3 in Dubai

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Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

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What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

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Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
  • Drones
  • Animals
  • Fireworks/ flares
  • Radios or power banks
  • Laser pointers
  • Glass
  • Selfie sticks/ umbrellas
  • Sharp objects
  • Political flags or banners
  • Bikes, skateboards or scooters
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Day 4, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage appeared to have been hard done by when he had his dismissal of Sami Aslam chalked off for a no-ball. Replays suggested he had not overstepped. No matter. Two balls later, the exact same combination – Gamage the bowler and Kusal Mendis at second slip – combined again to send Aslam back.

Stat of the day Haris Sohail took three wickets for one run in the only over he bowled, to end the Sri Lanka second innings in a hurry. That was as many as he had managed in total in his 10-year, 58-match first-class career to date. It was also the first time a bowler had taken three wickets having bowled just one over in an innings in Tests.

The verdict Just 119 more and with five wickets remaining seems like a perfectly attainable target for Pakistan. Factor in the fact the pitch is worn, is turning prodigiously, and that Sri Lanka’s seam bowlers have also been finding the strip to their liking, it is apparent the task is still a tough one. Still, though, thanks to Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed, it is possible.

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Directed by: Pete Doctor

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Name: Kumulus Water
 
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Paltan

Producer: JP Films, Zee Studios
Director: JP Dutta
Cast: Jackie Shroff, Sonu Sood, Arjun Rampal, Siddhanth Kapoor, Luv Sinha and Harshvardhan Rane
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Dh3.7 million

The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown

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The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.

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The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.

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The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.

A State of Passion

Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi

Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah

Rating: 4/5

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Takreem Awards winners 2021

Corporate Leadership: Carl Bistany (Lebanon)

Cultural Excellence: Hoor Al Qasimi (UAE)

Environmental Development and Sustainability: Bkerzay (Lebanon)

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Humanitarian and Civic Services: Women’s Programs Association (Lebanon)

Humanitarian and Civic Services: Osamah Al Thini (Libya)

Excellence in Education: World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) (Qatar)

Outstanding Arab Woman: Balghis Badri (Sudan)

Scientific and Technological Achievement: Mohamed Slim Alouini (KSA)

Young Entrepreneur: Omar Itani (Lebanon)

Lifetime Achievement: Suad Al Amiry (Palestine)