Cook’s men appeared washed up after two days of the third Investec Test, and conceded a three-figure first-innings deficit.
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Ali was 86 not out, off just 96 balls including 10 fours and two sixes when Cook declared just four overs into Sunday’s play.
“I wanted a few more runs [this morning] as I didn’t want to give Pakistan a sniff”, Cook added.
The hosts needed only three more wickets in a final session shortened to a minimum 28 overs, to go 2-1 up with one to play next week, after hometown hero Chris Woakes and Steven Finn left Pakistan washed up on 148 for seven at tea. Since then, however, they have produced some eye-catching cricket to establish a 2-1 lead – and Cook admitted their win at Edgbaston was one of the most satisfying of his decade-long England career. “Yes, we were up against it but we were never that far out of it”.
“Then we bowled brilliantly too”.
“There were a lot of good things for us out of that Test match”.
“We fought really hard”.
“If we do win there, I wouldn’t say we are anywhere near our potential”.
“Everyone will be in the dressing-room feeling proud to be part of the team, and feeling like they contributed”, said the captain. I need that edge because I think it’s made me the bowler I am but at the same time I want to stay the right side of the line’.
The two Yorkshiremen made contrasting fifties in an England second-innings total of 414 for five come stumps on the fourth day.
“I think so. I went out and played my normal game”, the all-rounder said.
Sohail Khan races down the pitch to meet a tossed-up delivery from Moeen, and succeeds only in directing it back to the bowler for a fine low catch.
“Because of that, we were always behind the eight ball”.
“It would have been very easy, if we’d lost a couple of wickets then, to feel under pressure going into today”.
Moeen Ali starred with both bat and ball as England beat Pakistan by 141 runs to win the third Test at Edgbaston on Sunday (Aug 7).
“We knew when we batted second time around it was flat, and although no-one got a hundred we all contributed and batted deep on day four, so we knew today we could put pressure on them”.
“It’s fantastic what pressure can do”.
Pakistan’s steadfast young opener – and last best hope – Sami Aslam misjudges Finn’s angle from round the wicket, offering no stroke and losing off stump.
Misbah-ul-Haq is at eighth spot in the test batsmen ranking.
“The spell just after lunch that he and Broad put together in partnership there, quite simply the difference with his bowling in that spell was his discipline of length”, Bayliss said. We were trying to cope with it, but we could not handle it. But after lunch they got it reversing, and we were not having any clue.
The tourists must regroup, and Misbah insists they will.
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“The man-of-the-match award could have gone to a number of guys”.
