Cook, Root steady England innings against Pakistan

England managed to stage a recovery after the loss of two quick wickets in their first innings of the second Test match against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi today. England captain Alsatair Cook and Joe Root steadied the innings with a 113-run partnership before Cook was dismissed for 65 runs.

Following his heroics in the first Test, Alastair Cook scored an important knock in the first innings of the second Test match against Pakistan. Reuters/Jason O'Brien

Jonny Bairstow continued from where Cook left and ensured there was no further damage to England’s innings.

Root who is unbeaten on 75 and Bairstow who is 27 not out have added 55 runs for the fourth wicket.

Earlier Pakistan were bundled out for 378 runs after resuming their innings at 282 for four.

The top scorer for Pakistan was their skipper Misbah ul Haq who scored a patient 102 runs.

The other pillar of Pakistan’s innings was Asad Shafiq who scored 83.

For England Mark Wood and Moeen Ali shared the bowling honours with three wickets apiece.

Replying to Pakistan’s total, England lost opener Moeen Ali for just one run while the number three batsman Ian Bell could manage only four runs before falling victim to Imran Khan.

England are still 196 runs behind with seven wickets in hand.

Imran Khan, Wahab Riaz and Yasir Shah took one wicket each.

In other Test match news, Sri Lankan seamer Dhammika Prasad took four wickets to help his side dismiss West Indies for 163 in the first innings of the second and final Test in Colombo today.

Replying to Sri Lanka's first innings score of 200, West Indies struggled against the seam-spin duo if Prasad and Dilruwan Perera who took three wickets.

Resuming the day at 17 for one, the tourists lost six wickets for the addition of 86 runs.

Sri Lanka scored 76 runs for the loss of two wickets in their second innings at the close of play to take an overall lead of 103 runs.