Misbah-ul-Haq century hits England as James Anderson becomes 9th highest Test wicket-taker

Misbah-ul-Haq's ninth Test century helped Pakistan stifle England's momentum as a middle-order revival suppressed the tourists' progress on day one of the second Test in Dubai. James Anderson took his 419<sup>th Test wicket to go to ninth in the all-time list but a three-figure score from Misbah coupled with half-centuries from Shan Masood and Younis Khan means Pakistan head into day two in the ascendancy.

The designated hosts were reduced to 85 for three after Jonny Bairstow took two catches fielding at short leg to dismiss Mohammad Hafeez (19) and Shoaib Malik (2), whose poor form since his double century in the first innings in Abu Dhabi continued, before Masood (54) edged Anderson behind to Jos Buttler. But Pakistan's experienced middle order came to the fore to give them a grip on the game as Khan and Misbah added 93 for the fourth wicket.

Khan was dismissed in lacklustre fashion, edging Mark Wood down the leg side for 56, but Aasad Shafiq stepped up to the mantle with an unbeaten 46 in a partnership of 104 with Misbah (102 not out). The 41-year-old looked set to fall short of his century on day one but that soon changed with two sixes off Moeen Ali in the final over to wrestle control away from England and close on 282 for 4. Alastair Cook's side bowled with vigour throughout the opening day and could have been rewarded with late wickets from the second new ball before Misbah took aim.

The veteran batsman played mistimed strokes on either side of the wicket after Cook took the new cherry with seven overs of the day remaining, and the morning session on day two promises to be key to whether Pakistan can put on another mammoth total despite Misbah reaching his hundred. Nevertheless, with just four wickets falling on day one and a scoring rate that only flirted with rising above three runs an over the pitch could yet lead to another one-paced start to the match.