Sports Latest
The latest UK & World sports news from the Press Association
Azhar puts Pakistan in control
13:45, Feb 5 2012
England at last saw the back of Azhar Ali, but still need to pull off the second-highest run chase in their Test history to avoid a 3-0 whitewash against Pakistan.
Azhar's painstaking career-best 157 spanned six sessions and almost nine hours, before the number three was ninth out in Pakistan's 365 all out on the third evening at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
England were therefore left with more than six and a half sessions to make 324, on a wearing pitch which had already helped spinners Monty Panesar (five for 124) and Graeme Swann share eight wickets.
They made an acceptable start to their mission improbable, openers Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss reprising the roles played by their great antecedents Jack Hobbs and Herbert Sutcliffe, the last and only other time England made so many to win - against Australia in Melbourne in 1929.
Cook and Strauss achieved a notable first for this series at least, when they surpassed their previous highest opening partnership of 27 on this disappointing tour - reaching 36 for none at the close.
They had a scrape each before stumps, Cook dropped by Taufeeq Umar off Umar Gul at third slip on four and Strauss rightly given not out on 14 - even after DRS - when he got his pad outside the line on impact against Mohammad Hafeez's off-spin.
Azhar's 442-ball vigil had been a triumph of unstinting concentration, shot selection and restraint - taking in a stand of 216 with Younus Khan (127), and containing just 10 fours and one six.
But Pakistan's last seven wickets then fell for only 34 runs in 21 overs, to give world number ones England a glimmer of hope that their batsmen might yet redeem themselves here.
Solskjaer not heading to Villa 22:45, May 22 2012
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has pulled out of the running to become the new Aston Villa manager, Press Association Sport understands. more
Real is 'perfect challenge' for Mourinho 20:45, May 22 2012
Jose Mourinho believes the task of leading Real Madrid for the next four years represents "the perfect challenge" for the next stage of his coaching career after he signed a new deal with the club. more
Care bares his soul 18:45, May 22 2012
Danny Care is determined to repay the faith of those who stuck by him during a troubled season and inspire Harlequins to their first Aviva Premiership title. more
Hargreaves released by City 16:45, May 22 2012
Midfielder Owen Hargreaves has been released by Manchester City after his short-term deal expired. more
I won't stop tweeting - KP 15:45, May 22 2012
Kevin Pietersen has brushed off concerns his latest Twitter outburst could land him in trouble with the England and Wales Cricket Board and has no plans to tone down his comments on the micro-blogging site. more
Drogba to leave Chelsea 15:45, May 22 2012
Didier Drogba will leave Chelsea when his contract runs out at the end of June, the club have announced on their website. more
Haye rejects jibes from Klitschko camp 14:45, May 22 2012
David Haye has rubbished claims from Vitali Klitschko's manager that he is "afraid" of facing the Ukrainian heavyweight. more
Broad up to third in rankings 14:45, May 22 2012
Stuart Broad has achieved a career-best position in the latest ICC Player Rankings following his maiden 10-wicket haul in England's first Test victory over the West Indies, which concluded at Lord's on Monday. more
Mourinho extends Bernabeu stay 13:45, May 22 2012
Jose Mourinho has signed a new contract with Real Madrid which ties him to the club until 2016, the Primera Division champions have announced. more
Injury forces Leamy to hang up boots 12:45, May 22 2012
Denis Leamy has become the third Munster player this season to announce an early retirement due to injury. more
Fans' group challenge Liverpool owners 11:45, May 22 2012
Liverpool owners have been challenged to publicly explain their strategy for the club by a leading fans' group. more
Williams 'proud' of torch role 11:45, May 22 2012
Winter Olympics gold medallist Amy Williams said carrying the Olympic torch was an "amazing feeling". more
