Bad light denies stunning England 1st Test win over lucky Pakistan

So, England now need to apply that same mentality and not be too disheartened for the second Test, which they are now 12/5 to win with Coral.

Records and controversy rife

Although pundits, punters and just fans will argue that the pitch made for dreadful game, there was certainly plenty to talk about after the match, as records and controversy were present at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Besides Rashid’s outstanding second innings effort, there were two double hundreds scored in the first, as England captain Cook (263) and Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik (245) achieved that feat.

Cook’s in particular stood out as it was the third longest Test innings in the history of the game, and the best for an Englishman.

On top of that, veteran Younis Khan become Pakistan’s highest ever Test runscorer, after getting the 19 needed in his first innings. The 37-year-old finished on 38 and managed 45 in the second.

England’s highest ever wicket-taker James Anderson, meanwhile, got himself into the top 10 all-time Test dismissals list, when he got Shan Khan out early on day one.

Can second Test live up to final day at Sheikh Zayed Stadium?

In terms of controversy, Misba-ul-Haq Niazi was given out caught by the umpire in hsi second innings; however, following a review by the hosts, hawkeye technology adjudged that it in fact should’ve been an LBW dismissal. Therefore, the veteran captain survived and went on to get a potentially match-saving 51.

Cook will also have been annoyed that his record-breaking knock came to a premature end, as replays showed he shouldn’t have actually been given out.

But ultimately, we were treated to a thrilling finale, which hopefully suggests the last two matches will produce even more.

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Coral’s top tip: Despite coming so close to an unlikely win, England will be encouraged by their final day performance and are well-priced @ 12/5 to claim the second Test