Alastair Cook says England's first-innings collapse cost them second Test
Batting collapses 'happening too often', says Cook
Tuesday 27 October 2015 16:25, UK
England's first-innings collapse and failure to cope with Wahab Riaz cost them the second Test against Pakistan, says Alastair Cook.
Wahab tore through the tourists on day three as Cook's men lost seven wickets for 36 runs to be skittled for 242 and surrender a lead of 136 runs.
England went on to lose the match in Dubai - and slip one down with one Test to play - by 178 runs after Adil Rashid (61 from 172 balls) was dismissed by Yasir Shah 6.3 overs before the end of the game.
"If you had given us two more overs in Abu Dhabi and two less here it could have been a different story."
"You don't need to be a rocket scientist to realise the problem when you lose seven for that many," said Cook. "It happens too often at the moment as a side and it's a real frustration."
"Full credit to Riaz - he bowled really well, 90mph reverse-swing from different angles with some short stuff thrown in, so we aren't saying it's easy.
"But it's a realisation that it's a tough moment, and for 45 minutes 'I've got to suck it up'. It was a long way back from that third morning, so we probably didn't deserve to get out of jail.
"To win games of cricket here you have to be absolutely relentless for five days and we have competed with Pakistan for nine and a half days [over the first two Tests]."
England - who saw bad light dent their chances of winning the opening Test in Abu Dhabi - will now head to Sharjah for third encounter, which begins on Sunday.
Cook expects to play despite suffering from a groin strain in Dubai - but he says there could be changes to other areas of the team as they go in search of a series-levelling victory.
"My body has been pretty good to me over quite a long period of time but it was little bit discomforting," he said. "It was a concern but it's a bit better today [Monday] so it should be fine."
The England skipper added: "When you lose games or people haven't performed as well as they would have liked you're going to look at the team. We've a good squad here and players itching to get on."
Our live coverage of England's series against Pakistan in the UAE continues with the third Test on Sunday, November 1 on Sky Sports 2 HD. You can also watch without a contract on NOW TV.
