And it was all the more impressive given the searing desert heat of Abu Dhabi, as England finished 46 runs ahead of Pakistan on 569-8.
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The Test was heading for a draw after England declared their first innings at 598-9, but they bowled with fire and employed aggressive field settings on a tired fifth and final day pitch at Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch.
Seamer James Anderson ripped into Pakistan’s higher order before lunch and England spin duo Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali then claimed seven wickets between them as Pakistan collapsed from 139-4 to 173 all out.
Only one England wicket fell in the morning – Rashid clean bowled by Imran Khan’s in-cutter for 12 with the score on 590.
“It was a hell of an effort”, said Root of Cook s innings behind Pakistan s Hanif Mohmmad (970 minutes) and South African Gary Kirsten (878 minutes).
In his first over, Anderson bowled Shan Masood (1), the opener scuffing the ball onto his wicket as England’s two dozen boisterous fans serenaded their hero.
Four balls later it was a superbly hostile short ball dug into the pitch that forced Shoaib to fend the ball gently to Jonny Bairstow at short leg.
Things soon became worse for Pakistan when Mohammad Hafeez was run out in 18th over leaving Pakistan on 47 for three.
Younis also survived a shaky start, but Hafeez, fresh from his 98 in the first knock, hit four boundaries and a six to ease a few of the pressure.
Younus Khan had begun his innings with 17 deliveries on nought, and his captain Misbah-ul-Haq was characteristically content to dead-bat England too for as long as it might take.
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Then after Broad and James Anderson had scrambled another eight runs – and moments after a review offered Anderson a reprieve – Alastair Cook decided it was time to bring the last pair in and have a full hour at Pakistan before lunch.
