Alastair Cook says third Test win over Pakistan is up there with England's best
Tuesday 9 August 2016 10:26, UK
England skipper Alastair Cook praised his side's fighting spirit as they came from behind to clinch a memorable win over Pakistan in the Investec third Test at Edgbaston.
England were 103 runs behind after both sides had completed their first innings but clinched a 141-run victory on the final day to go 2-1 up in the four-match series ahead of next week's finale at The Oval.
Pakistan, set a target of 343 in 84 overs, were dismissed for 201 inside the last hour after a dramatic collapse against England's pacemen before tea where they lost four wickets for one run in 23 balls.
England's second innings, which featured fifties from Cook (66), Alex Hales (54), Joe Root (62), Jonny Bairstow (83) and Moeen Ali (86 not out), allowed Cook to declare early on Sunday at 445-6.
"I think it could be right up there," said Cook when asked how he rated this victory at the post-match presentation ceremony.
"We seemed to be behind pretty much most of the game, hanging in there, and then when we got the chance to win the game, we were fantastic.
"We fought really hard. I did say at the beginning, probably at tea time, I thought it would be a first innings versus fourth innings.
"But it showed great character from the guys to come back and bowl like we did and for them not to get too much of a lead. We batted really well in the third innings of the game."
After Pakistan lost six wickets either side of the tea break, the tourists' final pair of Sohail Khan and Rahat Ali delayed defeat by putting on 50 runs between them before man-of-the-match Ali ended the contest when he caught and bowled Sohail for 36.
"I did have a little bit of doubt in my mind at some stage, but then I reminded myself we would get a couple more chances," Cook said.
"It was unlikely that they would last the 30-odd overs, no disrespect to them, but you would have thought we would create a few more chances. It was about being patient, but it was getting a little bit tight."
Pakistan were looking comfortable at 67-1 for lunch but faltered as England's bowlers delivered a reverse swing masterclass - something Misbah-ul-Haq says his pacemen can learn from.
"Until lunch it was easy," the Pakistan skipper said. "But after lunch they got it reversing and we were not having any clue. We were trying to cope with it, but we could not handle it.
"[James] Anderson and [Stuart] Broad are used to these conditions. They are really experienced. Full credit to England for the way they fought back after we had a lead of more than 100.
"I think we'll just have to send someone to learn from England now how they're reversing this ball. We could not do it even on the fourth day. I think they are really doing it well."
Watch coverage of day one of the fourth Test between England and Pakistan live on Sky Sports 2 from 10am on Thursday.
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