http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AN-Cook-c1026 upbeat about England’s chances in Dubai Test – Cricket News Update
England’s opening batsman, Alastair Cook, is upbeat about his team’s chances of winning the third Test match against Pakistan being played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The Men in Green lead the three match series 2-0 and in the final game of the series they are 180 runs ahead with eight wickets in hand.
Despite Pakistan’s strong position in the match, Cook feels that his side can pull-off a win and restore some pride for the number one Test team of the world.
Cook said, “If we sit here when we turn up tomorrow and say 'well, we've lost this game already' then we might as well give Pakistan victory right now. It will take some serious guts to drag ourselves out of this. But there are some bloody good players in
that dressing room, and I hope we can stand up.”
English batsmen have been caught off-guard in this series by the Pakistani spinners. No batsmen within the English rank average above 30. The Poms have crossed the 300-run mark just once in five innings, and the way Pakistan is batting in their second innings,
England may have to chase a total well above 300.
The defensive opener has urged the top six batters in the English batting contingent to step-up and pile runs for the side.
Cook said, “We all know we're a very long way behind in this game. When we do get round to batting again it's going to take some serious character from the top six to turn it around. Anything is possible, but it's going to take a lot of mental toughness
to deliver it. We’re going to have to get out there and do it.”
The ongoing Test match between England and Pakistan has witnessed balance shifts from the beginning. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 was dislodged for a mere 99 runs in their first innings, in reply England mustered 141 runs. However, the unbeaten stand of 194 runs between Younis
Khan (115) and Azhar Ali (75) for the third wicket in second the innings has turned the match in favour of Pakistan, and it will be a difficult task for England to win the match.
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