Pakistan v England: Joe Root says tourists can force a win
- Published
England batsman Joe Root says the tourists have a chance of forcing victory on the final day of the first Test against Pakistan.
England ended day four in Abu Dhabi on 569-8, a first-innings lead of 46 with two wickets remaining, after Alastair Cook hit 263.
"It's given us a chance of getting a result out of this game," Root said.
"It's going to take something really special, but we have a glimmer of hope."
England lost 3-0 on their last tour of the United Arab Emirates, but Root, who hit 85 in England's innings, believes they can still get off to a winning start on this one.
"Anywhere up near a 100-run lead gives us a small chance of winning," he said.
"The pitch has started to spin a bit more, there's a bit more rough there. There was a spell of reverse swing from Wahab that looked very threatening, so there's plenty happening that could give us a chance of a result."
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Former England spinner Graeme Swann also believes Alastair Cook's side can force a result.
"I would be demanding a positive view in my dressing room," he told BBC Test Match Special.
"If there is a sapping energy in the dressing room and people saying, 'It'll be a draw', then it will be."
But former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott said he was "convinced" the match would finish in a draw.
"You shouldn't lose wickets on there," he said. "The players have done their best, but you could play for 10 days on there and you'll still get a draw."
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