Pakistan coach optimistic about saving Old Trafford test

Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur has said that England’s decision of not enforcing the follow-on during the third day of the second test has given his side a better chance of escaping from an imminent defeat and end the match on a draw.

“I was disappointed with our first innings,” Arthur told reporters on Monday. “We need more discipline outside off stump. We were nicking off that ‘fifth stump’ line a lot, which was particularly disappointing,” he added.

According to British daily Evening Standard, he said, “Probably yes it gives us a bit more of a chance [of a draw] but irrespective of when he decides to declare we have to bat damn well. It is just that we will have to bat well for a little bit less [time].

"I thought we were a long way behind the game, we were happy in the dressing room he didn't [enforce follow on] but by the same token England are so far ahead in the game. He [Cook] can rest his quick bowlers. It is irrelevant for us what decision he made. All I can say is we fully expected to be batting again."

Paul Farbrace, the England assistant coach, confirmed the decision to bat again had nothing to do with injury concerns over any of the bowlers. He also said that England would have enforced the follow on if Pakistan had been bowled out more quickly after lunch.

"On this occasion we thought the pitch will deteriorate, the bounce will become variable and the feeling genuinely was we wanted to bat again while the pitch was good and still give us time to bowl them out," he said.

"You have to live and die by decisions. We think we have made the right decision and we hope tomorrow will prove we have done so. When you come to Manchester you keep half an eye on the weather but the forecast over the next couple of days is we might get the odd shower but there is still time to make sure we keep ourselves in a good -position."

Pakistan was expecting to be asked to follow on in good bowling conditions but now believe they have a chance of escaping Manchester with a draw.

However, Misbah-ul-Haq alone scored 52 runs out of the 7 established batsmen present in Pakistan's batting, who added just 89 runs in their first innings total of 198 against England in 2nd Test at Old Trafford.