England vs Pakistan – Cook ton undone by team’s collapse
Published:Pakistan roared into a winning position in the third Test, as Alastair Cook’s century was rendered almost obsolete by a dismal England batting collapse.
Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Amir took four wickets each to reduce England to 221 for nine, which gave the hosts a lead of just 146.
Pakistan are now a convincing 1/7 to win the third Test, and England have an immense amount of work to do if they are to salvage this Test.
Bad light stopped play with Stuart Broad and Steven Finn facing the daunting task of resuscitating England’s faltering innings.
Cook had earlier answered his critics in brilliant fashion, having compiled a gutsy innings of 110 to help England lay a foundation for a match-winning lead.
The opener’s good work was undone in the evening session, however, as England unravelled from 194 for three to 221 for nine.
Off-spinner Ajmal was a thorn in England’s side, dismissing Cook for 110 and Kevin Pietersen for another disappointing score of 23.
He also claimed the key wicket of Eoin Morgan before clean bowling Graeme Swann.
Amir was also instrumental to England’s demise, accounting for the dismissals of Pietersen, Paul Collingwood and Jonathan Trott to add to his Andrew Strauss scalp from the previous day.
Can England build a big enough lead? They are 4/1 to win the third Test. See the full England vs Pakistan Match Betting Odds market.
