Ali’s innings had not only anchored the England innings but also ensured the scoreboard kept ticking over, his runs coming at a strike rate of 71.05 and included 13 fours and two sixes.
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James Anderson believes “the sky is the limit” for this fledgling team and that they have more talent than the last England side to reach No.1 in the Test rankings.
Alex Hales’ controversial early departure was followed by that of captain Alastair Cook, who had chosen to bat first under heavy cloud cover and on a green pitch.
Pakistan made two changes to the side beaten at Edgbaston, bringing in debutant batsman Iftikhar Ahmed for the struggling Mohammad Hafeez and recalling Riaz in place of fellow left-arm quick Rahat Ali.
The touring side took advantage of overcast conditions in the morning, inspired by a fired-up Wahab. Cook, trying to force the pace too much, too early and just one over after an edge to first slip that Iftikhar Ahmed spilled, crashed one into his stumps off the bottom edge. “I think the pitch will turn later in the game, but we feel the seamers are bowling well and Mo took a massive stride in the last game”, Cook said at The Oval yesterday.
Wahab was the inspiration behind that implosion, Joe Root edging him behind on 26 before James Vince, the victim of a beautifully brutal delivery, did likewise.
At 74 for four, Cook’s decision to bat first looked questionable.
Riaz then removed Gary Ballance in the second over after lunch to reduce England to 110-5, but Bairstow and Moeen profited from Pakistan’s fielding lapses.
Amir had Bairstow caught behind soon after tea, but Woakes played aggressively and hit eight fours that included four in one over off an erring Riaz as his seventh-wicket stand with Moeen yielded another 79 runs.
In the second over of the second session, Bairstow was caught at point off Riaz but the bowler had overstepped.
The most pressing appears to be their lack of a fifth bowler, a problem compounded by England’s proficiency against Yasir Shah since his match-winning 10-wicket haul at Lord’s.
The difference between 95-5 and 203-6 when Bairstow was finally sent on his way by Amir having posted 55 was huge.
An over later, Riaz had Ballance drive at an away swinging ball and had him caught in the slips.
“(But) we seem to be finding ways of taking 20 wickets, bowling to plans and catching some of the balls”.
With Enaland on 296 for nine and Moeen still 11 runs short of his hundred, a lot rested on James Anderson’s ability to stick with his team-mate.
The first ball he faced crashed into his helmet but Moeen Ali was unconcerned as he went on to make a superb century for England.
Pakistan could also do with some runs from Younis Khan, the sole survivor from their controversial 2006 Test against England at The Oval where the tourists forfeited the match by refusing to play after being penalised five runs for ball-tampering by the umpires.
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“But these fast bowlers need to really step up and show what they are made of in this last Test match”.
