London: England vice-captain Joe Root has lavished praises on Alastair Cook, describing the captain as a role model who has set an example for the remainder of the series after scoring an epic double hundred against Pakistan in the opening Test in Abu Dhabi.
Cook was relentless in his 263-run knock and played the longest innings by an Englishman by holding on to the crease for gruelling 836 minutes in sweltering conditions on day four at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Reflecting on his captain’s performance, Root said that Cook produced a hell of an effort and showed huge amounts of skill, concentration and fitness by batting out two days in the heat, the Guardian reported.
Root, who provided an able support to Cook by scoring 85, further said that his captain has led from the front and insisted that the inspiring show has given them a glimmer of hope that they could force a result on the final day.
England overcame a monumental task of crossing 523-8 declared by Pakistan and accumulated 569-8 at stumps while holding a 46-run lead over the hosts.
Cook struck a 141-run partnership with Joe Root for the fourth wicket and then added another 91 for the sixth with Ben Stokes (57) after England resumed at 290-3.
Adil Rashid (six) and Stuart Broad (0) will resume the first innings, with the first of the three-match series heading towards a possible draw.
ANI