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Cook emerges from prolonged slump to put England ahead

Batting with increasing authority after a streaky start, Cook hit 12 boundaries to reach 76 not out at lunch in his team’s total of 110 for two.

England, who lead 2-0 in the four-match series, trailed Pakistan by 75 runs on the first innings.

Cook had accumulated only 106 runs from eight test innings this season before Friday and his average in the current series was 9.4 with a highest score of 17.

Two involuntary fours through the slips off Mohammad Asif got Cook underway and he was fortunate that there was no close fielder in place when a slash at catchable height off Wahab Riaz flew to the third man boundary.

A pulled boundary off Riaz and a searing cover drive off Mohammad Amir were altogether more authentic shots and a push for one brought up not only Cook’s half-century but also put England into the lead.

Cook was now in full flow, punching two boundaries through the covers from an erratic Riaz over which cost 13 runs.

Jonathan Trott, England’s best batsman of the summer, again looked confident and assured for his 15 not out and the only wicket to fall in the session was that of nightwatchman James Anderson.

Anderson was caught behind from off-spinner Saeed Ajmal’s first delivery of the innings for 11.