Misbah fights in Pak struggle

Misbah-ul-Haq scored an unbeaten 83 on day one of the second Test against England, leading Pakistan to 7-256 at stumps.

In hot conditions at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, Pakistan captain Misbah won the toss and elected to bat, as his side looked to build on the momentum generated by a 10-wicket victory in the first Test.

Mohammad Hafeez (31) and Taufeeq Umar (16) made a bright start with 51 runs for the first wicket, before the latter became the first victim of the day for Graeme Swann (3-52).

Newly recalled spinner Monty Panesar (1-91) was the next to strike, bowling Hafeez, and the trend continued as Stuart Broad shattered the stumps of Younis Khan and Azhar Ali (both 24) to leave Pakistan in trouble at 103-4.

Misbah and Asad Shafiq (58) steadied the ship, as they added 100 runs in a patient fifth-wicket partnership that lasted more than 37 overs.

Panesar – who bowled 33 overs – put in a mountain of work but it looked to be in vain against the stubborn Pakistani pair.

In the end it was Panesar's spin partner, Swann, who broke the stand as he trapped Shafiq in front.

Adnan Akmal (9) and Abdur Rehman (0) were also dismissed late in the day and although Misbah's late hitting – which saw him crunch four sixes – helped him toward a century, England can feel pleased with their day's work.

Broad (3-47) toiled hard in his 23-over spell while Jimmy Anderson went wicketless from his 18 overs.