England 53/5 (29.0 ov)
Pakistan
England won the toss and elected to bat
Pakistan v England, 1st Test, Dubai, 1st day,
Spinners wreck England top order,
ESPNcricinfo staff,
January 17, 2012
Pakistan are careful not to describe the UAE as home, but it could soon become one of their favourite destinations. They enjoyed a jubilant opening morning in the first Test against England in Dubai, claiming five wickets on a placid batting surface.
After ten deliveries, Pakistan offspinner Saeed Ajmal had figures of 3-1, removing Andrew Strauss, Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen, the last to a DRS decision. He did not unveil his new mystery ball but he did not need it. To England, they were all mystery balls.
England's first outing as the No. 1 ranked Test side began disastrously. They won the toss, the pace of the pitch was gentle, there was no swing or seam, and just a hint of turn. However, just about everything attempted by Pakistan's impressive captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, came off as the cream of England batting disappeared in the first two hours.
There had been concerns about how England, who moved to No. 1 with high-adrenalin performances in front of packed crowds, would respond to the dead air of a virtually empty stadium, and those doubts were not lessened. Mohammad Hafeez's offspin was introduced in the sixth over to counter England's left-hand openers and he dismissed Alastair Cook in his first over. Cook, who had been so productive against fast bowling in Australia this time last year, looked tentative against spin. He attempted to work his first ball into the leg side and got a thick outside edge through point. Then Hafeez found gentle turn with his third delivery and Cook edged obligingly to the wicketkeeper.
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| Saeed Ajmal teesra |
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