Alastair Cook hits hundred as bat dominates ball in Abu Dhabi

On a pitch offering very little assistance to the bowlers, England's batsmen dominated on a day of slow scoring.

Cook lasted until the close and was ably supported by Ian Bell, who scored 63, until late in the day. The Warwickshire batsman was dismissed by Wahab Riaz before night watchman Mark Wood fell after facing only seven deliveries.

Joe Root joined his captain as England ended the day still well in arrears, but with a draw looking the highly likely result on a lifeless pitch for both seam and spin.

Captain Cook led from the front as England continued a solid, if slow, reply to Pakistan's 523-8 declared.

England’s captain added 116 with his latest opening partner, Moeen Ali in the first session of the day before his fellow left-hander fell to Imran Khan – nicking the ball through to the keeper.

Bell arrived and promptly edged his first ball into the slip cordon and was later dropped on 1 by Shan Masood at silly point.

England’s No 3 batsman, whose two dropped catches in the first innings allowed Pakistan an extra 188 runs, looked far from fluent in the afternoon session but dug in to stick with his captain.

England have to reach 324 to avoid the follow on but are making serene progress on a slow pitch in the Middle East.

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