Light call leaves Cook in the dark
ALASTAIR COOK was left bemoaning the light regulations after England fell an agonising 25 runs short of a famous victory in Abu Dhabi’s desert gloom.
The tourists had to call off their chase on 74 for four, after being set 99 in 19 overs on a chaotic final day of the first Test. But Pakistan’s bowlers sent down only 11 overs in the 58 minutes possible before the umpires finally took the players off.
The unfitting end was in stark contrast to England’s famous ‘win in the dark’ against Pakistan in Karachi in 2000, when England secured victory in the gloom at the National Stadium.
Cook, whose 836-minute 263 in the first innings had laid the foundations for England’s impressive late charge, said: ‘The only query I have is whether, in the letter of law, it is unsafe to play. That’s what I’m always told at match referees’ meetings.
Asked if he thought the fading light had been dangerous for his batsmen, he replied: ‘It didn’t look like it was. I’ve sat in so many meetings: is it unsafe or unfair or unsuitable? That’s the wording. Safety is paramount. But it didn’t look unsafe out there.’
Even so, the England captain agreed that the result had made him as proud as any during his time in charge. ‘When you concede 520, you’re the side who’s not going to win the game. And we have a very inexperienced side too.
‘I’m very proud of the lads, but there’s a disappointment in that dressing-room. Over the next 10 days in that series we have to show the same kind of resilience and character.’
That England were even in with a shout was thanks to the leg-spin of Adil Rashid. He finished on five for 64 — figures the 27-yearold was clearly proud of.
‘It’s a great feeling. At times I thought: ‘Where’s my first wicket going to come from?’, but I stuck with it and I stayed positive. I feel good and confident but I’d have felt better if we’d won.