'Small and sensible targets the key to survival'
Sunday 25 October 2015 15:45, UK
England have a real chance of saving the second Test if they bat "like their lives depend on it", Sir Ian Botham says.
The tourists closed day four in Dubai on 130-3, 361 short of a notional 491 target for victory and needing to bat for three sessions if they are to go into the final Test all square.
The blueprint for survival was laid down by Joe Root and Ian Bell, who shared a century stand after openers Moeen Ali and Alastair Cook had gone cheaply.
Bell (46) went before the close, gloving a catch to slip as Zulfiqur Babar attacked the rough outside leg stump, leaving Root (59 no) and Jonny Bairstow to see their side through to the close as just one run came off the final seven overs.
"It was a great effort," Botham told Sky Sports at the close. "They battled away, and showed a lot of character. It was never easy out there.
"Ian Bell - an unfortunate way to get out, but they have a real chance. This middle order's got to turn up and fight. They've got to play out there as if their lives depend on it, and they've got to bat three sessions.
"It's very simple. It's not a case of how many runs they need - they've got to bat for three sessions."
The key to batting a full day on a wearing pitch, according to Botham, is to set "small and sensible targets".
"Anything's possible in sport, we've seen it many times," he said. "I think they've got to go out there and break it down into half hours - let's get the first half hour done, then another half hour. They've got to do it and they've got to work together."
Botham believes Root has developed into "one of the finest players in world cricket" but questioned whether Moeen can continue to combine the roles of opening batsman and front-line off-spinner.
He said: "I'll be absolutely honest - I wouldn't have had Moeen Ali opening. I thought it was a risky selection, and he's not going to open against South Africa [this winter].
"I'd have played him down the order where he looks comfortable, gets runs and has a chance to bowl the overs and then have some respite.
"I never got it and I still don't get why we're batting him at the top of the order."
Watch day five of the second Test between Pakistan and England from 5.45am, Monday, Sky Sports 2.
