Manchester: Pakistan’s batting woes continued Monday after being set a record — and always unlikely — 565 to win in the second Test against England. James Anderson and off-spinner Moeen Ali picked up two wickets each and captain Misbah-ul-Haq was bowled by Chris Woakes as Pakistan slumped to 161-5 at tea on the fourth day at Old Trafford.
England, which had a 391-run first innings lead, has four sessions to take the remaining five wickets and level the four-match series 1-1. Earlier, captain Alastair Cook and Joe Root smashed unbeaten half centuries as England blazed 75 runs in 40 minutes after resuming on 98-1 before declaring the second innings at 173-1.
Cook struck 76 off 78 balls. Root followed up his first-innings 254 with 71 off 48 deliveries. At lunch, Pakistan were wobbling on 47 for two. The hosts added a quickfire 75 to their overnight 98 for one, with skipper Alastair Cook and Joe Root playing freely, before declaring to set Pakistan an unlikely victory target of 565.
Anderson then struck to remove Shan Masood for one, the opener edging a ball to Cook at first slip that moved away, and trap Azhar Ali plumb lbw for eight.
Pakistan survived without any more setbacks although Younus Khan should have been dismissed when he was dropped in the slips by Cook off Ben Stokes.
Mohammad Hafeez was 24 not out at lunch with Younus on 12 but Pakistan are in deep trouble.
England, trailing 1-0 in the series after defeat at Lord’s, amassed 589 for eight declared in their first innings with Root scoring 254. They then bowled out Pakistan for 198 but declined to enforce the follow-on on Sunday.
Cook and Root were at the crease for only nine overs on Monday before the declaration but both scored at a rapid rate with the captain 76 not out and Root unbeaten on 71. Pakistan would have to score the highest total achieved in a
Test-match run chase to win. The record is 418.
