England’s earlier troubles began with the controversial departure of Alex Hales, followed by that of Cook; then after Joe Root went to Wahab, the second of three wickets for the addition of only five runs, James Vince fell to a brute of a delivery from the left-armer.
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Pakistan enjoyed a good start to Day One, yet it could have been so much better had their fielding been up to scratch. Sohail Khan registered a second consecutive five-fer for the tourists, who lost legendary former captain and original “Little Master” Hanif Mohammad at the age of 81 on Thursday (11 August).
In flawless batting conditions on a bright sunny day, the touring side lost only the wicket of nightwatchman Yasir Shah as they bid for a victory that would level the series at 2-2.
Hales whipped a full ball from Mohammad Amir to midwicket, where Yasir Shah lunged forward to claim the low catch.
Root and Vince both both edged behind pushing at balls off the back foot while Ballance was caught by a juggling Azhar Ali at third slip after being pushed back by some short-pitched deliveries from Wahab.
That same match also saw the 29-year-old Worcestershire all-rounder give his wicket away in England’s second innings when he was bowled by leg-spinner Yasir Shah after recklessly charging down the pitch.
The decision came after Cook and his men thrashed Pakistan by 141 runs at Edgbaston.
Pakistan reduced the home team to 110 for five before Moeen and Jonny Bairstow shared a sixth-wicket partnership of 93 to drag them back into the match.
Pakistan’s pace bowlers were essentially running rampant on a wicket not unlike ones you would normally find at The Oval – there was enough assistance for the new ball bowlers and they more than made it count.
Footage shows Joe Root shining the ball on his pants and James Anderson brushing something off the seam, both legal under the playing regulations and there has been no action by the match officials.
It sparked a collapse of 3-5 in 15 balls as Wahab tore the heart out of the England top-order in his fiery spell.
Moeen Ali, who was dropped on nine by Azhar Ali, went on to make 108 at The Oval. Riaz did have Bairstow caught at point when Bairstow’s innings was still in it’s infancy.
The pursuit of victory was aided by Cook’s correct call at the toss, England’s captain choosing to bat first despite leaden skies above The Oval that suggested bowling might be a good option.
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.
Sohail removed both Woakes and Stuart Broad (0) in the 67th over and three overs later, he breached the defences of Steven Finn (8).
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Meanwhile left-arm quick Wahab Riaz was recalled in place of fellow paceman Rahat Ali for his third match of the series after missing out at Edgbaston.
