The hosts had resumed in the morning on 314 for four and nightwatchman Chris Woakes dominated the early strike, peppering the boundary with crisp drives and cuts.
Advertisement
The Yorkshireman had batted for six hours without giving a chance on Friday but on 155 he had a reprieve when an outside edge off leg-spinner Yasir Shah just carried to first slip.
He added another four in his 88-ball half-century, his second in five innings.
Ben Stokes had some fortune, somehow depositing a mis-sweep at Yasir safely on 25, but less perhaps when Wahab Riaz had him caught-behind after overturning a caught-behind decision off the glove via an extensive DRS procedure.
Jonny Bairstow (58) was the last England wicket to fall before the declaration, two overs after Root’s 406-ball innings ended with Hafeez taking a good diving catch at mid-wicket off a slog.
England continued to look good after the break, with Cook eventually making 105 before falling to Amir from the final ball before tea.
He reached his ton off just 157 balls, causing even arch-critic Piers Morgan, who was in the Old Trafford stands, to tweet: “Well batted, Mr Cook”.
Amir did work over Cook’s opening partner Alex Hales, though, and proved too good for him.
A series of outswingers included one squirted for four through gully’s fingertips before, in the same over, Amir brought one back brilliantly to beat Hales’ defence and knock out off stump.
It was a big one, too, as this is a surprisingly dry surface considering all the rain that has fallen in Manchester and is sure to offer more turn as the match goes on, which would have made batting last against Yasir a hazardous process. Yasir tends to bowl wicket-to-wicket, looking for a little sideways movement either way but also to hurry the ball on, more in the manner of Anil Kumble than Shane Warne.
The 185-run stand in this Test is also the second-highest for the second wicket for England at this venue and the second-highest for them against Pakistan for the second wicket in Tests.
On a pitch that traditionally favours the slower bowlers, in dry conditions and with tours of Bangladesh and India looming this winter, England should have had another look at Rashid and left out Vince.
He was undeterred by audible chants of “no-ball!” from rowdy parts of the Old Trafford crowd, a reference to his spot-fixing history in this country. India thrashed Pakistan by 47 runs, maintaining their all-win record over their arch-rivals in the World Cup. Gary Ballance (23) then helped Yorkshire teammate Root add on 73 before he chopped on against Rahat.
A typically composed Root brought up his century soon after and finished the day nine short of his 150. It would be more interesting to see how Pakistani bowlers bounce back on Day 2.
Advertisement
Leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who took 10 wickets at Lord’s, remained wicket-less throughout the day, giving away 111 runs in 31 overs. “He didn’t do that today but he will come out (to bowl) tomorrow, he’s a strong guy”.
