0-163.. spinner has worse debut EVER

His 0- 163 yesterday eclipsed Bryce McGain’s 0-149 six years ago, although at least his figures were from 34 overs and not a brutal 18 like the Aussie.

“We had to attack him,” said Asad Shafiq, who made 107 as Pakistan racked up 523-8 declared on the second day of the first Test. “We didn’t want him to settle down on his debut and that was our plan. We attacked him and it worked.”

After that baptism of fire, Rashid’s response in the second innings will be a true test of his ability and Ben Stokes, who took 4-57, reckons he will be up to the task. “It hasn’t gone the way he would have wanted, but it could have gone the other way very easily,” said Stokes. “Next time he has the ball in his hand hopefully he can deliver something big.

“He doesn’t seem to get too down or get too high. I’ve played a bit of one-day cricket with him and when he’s done well he hasn’t celebrated too wildly. I think he’s a level-minded cricketer and can put this day and a half behind him.”

Pakistan’s total was largely built on Shoaib Malik’s 245, and with 21 overs to handle before the close of day y two, Alastair Cook and Moeen A Rashid (Eng) v Pakistan, 2015: 34-0-163-0 B McGain (Aus) v S Africa, 2009: 18-2-149-0 P Singh (Ind) v England, 2014: 37-8-146-0 J Warr (Eng) v Australia, 1951: 36-4-132-0 T Mupariwa (Zim) v Sri Lanka, 2004: 34-1-136-0 Ali – England’s latest opening partnership – got home unscathed, just.

Cook has followed the example of his mentor Graham Gooch, and just as he has passed him in the runs and hundreds tally, he has also learned from his mistakes.

Cook played a defensive shot to his second delivery, only for the ball to bounce back towards the stumps. The England skipper moved to swat it away with a hand, just as Gooch did against Australia in 1993.

That image may have flashed through his mind as he pulled his hand away and the ball missed the stumps.

In the fifth over Moeen was given not out when hit on the pads. Pakistan reviewed the decision and came within a millimetre of having it overturned.

England and Moeen were grateful for that to leave them trailing by 467 but confident of making inroads.