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Misbah hit two sixes in the final over of the day before bringing up his century to equal Inzamam-ul-Haq's tally of Test tons.
Misbah hit two sixes in the final over of the day before bringing up his century to equal Inzamam-ul-Haq's tally of Test tons. © Cricbuzz

Much of the talk since the first Test, despite the finish, has been about the state of the wicket in Abu Dhabi. Even Pakistan, the nominal home team, chipped in with Misbah and Mushtaq Ahmed criticising the way it played over the first four days. The assumption, especially from those ignorant of how the Dubai pitch has played in its Test history, has been that this would be more of the same. At the end of an engrossing day of cricket, many of those doubts have been removed.

Dubai, of course, despite its location, has been good for the bowlers. The first session here ranks among the best for pacers throughout the world in recent times. This is perhaps best illustrated by the fact that for five Tests in a row, until Pakistan's effort against Australia here last year, the team batting first was bowled out on the first day. And today, the wicket provided a similar response for the England pacers. Much like the popular reputation of the city, the Dubai pitch stands in stark contrast to everything within hundreds of miles of it. As late as the 49th over of the innings - when Younis was beaten off the seam and edged it between the keeper and the lone slip - the fast bowlers were getting the reaction they would have longed for after the helplessness of Abu Dhabi. Even through most of the second session, a play-and-miss was a common sight, and James Anderson, in particular, continued to show why he's a far more complete bowler than is often given credit for by his fiercest critics.

One of the reasons for England's success with the ball pitched up was that they had Pakistan batsmen camped on the back foot for most of their innings. The second string duo of Ben Stokes and Mark Wood, especially, had a clear plan to execute. In the first innings in Abu Dhabi, just 27% of the balls the duo bowled were short of a good length. Today the plan was far more obvious - the percentage here was doubled (55%) as they took advantage of a faster wicket here. And it wasn't short for the sake of being short - each of the batsmen looked uncomfortable against the rising ball at the start of his innings.

Misbah was hit more than once, and Shan Masood often looked more uncomfortable than a hippo in a speedo. For the Pakistan batsman, most of the day was something to be endured rather than enjoyed. Mark Wood, perhaps the foremost proponent of the short ball in this bowling unit, later talked about how he tried to profit from that length, "I tried to be a little more aggressive using the short ball," he said. "With my height, in these conditions, it tends not to go over them very much, its always at them so I can use that to my advantage. But they played it pretty well, I know I hit Misbah a couple of times but hes still out there and has a hundred so Ill have to try again tomorrow."

And that's what matters for Pakistan, at the end of the day's play they went to the dressing room the happier team. For all the troubles they faced, they survived. England, with their plans and the ability to stick to their plans, provided the sort of

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