Alastair Cook's Double Ton Frustrates Pakistan in First Test
Alastair Cook completed his third double century as England are trailing by just 123 behind Pakistan's first innings total.
Alastair Cook completed his third double century to guide England to 569/8 at stumps in the first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on day four. (Scorecard)
Cook was finally dismissed on 263 as he missed out on an opportunity to score a triple century. Along with Joe Root, he put on a 141-run stand for the fourth wicket
Cook flicked paceman Wahab Riaz to backward square-leg for two to complete his double century off 395 deliveries, the second of the match behind Pakistan's Shoaib Malik's 245.
Root also batted with authority, reaching his 14th Test half-century with a reverse sweep boundary off Malik. He has hit seven fours during his knock of 85.
Pakistan were once again sloppy in the field as they missed another chance to dismiss Cook when wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed failed to take an inside edge off Riaz when the England captain was on 173.
Fawad Alam had let off Cook on 147 off spinner Zulfiqar Babar on Thursday.
Riaz, who has figures of 2-109, bowled with venom but without further success as Root also edged a few deliveries.
Root also survived a confident leg-before shout when fast bowler Imran Khan trapped him but Pakistan's review once again went unsuccessful.
Pakistan's frontline spinner Babar also struggled to take a wicket, conceding 96 runs in his 48 overs.