Pakistan vs. England, 1st Test, Day 2: Malik Makes 245 While Bowlers Suffer

If you're squeamish about cricket being a batsman's game, look away now. Pakistan batted and batted and then batted some more on Day 2 of the first Test against England in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Piling on 523 for eight before declaring, Pakistan's batsmen looked largely untroubled on the slow pitch while England’s bowlers were left to toil. After the fast pace at which the Ashes moved along, it’s been quite a change.

Shoaib Malik continued where he left off on Day 1, scoring 245 off 420 balls, while Asad Shafiq contributed 107 off 218.

England made it to the close of play unscathed, with openers Moeen Ali and Alastair Cook putting on 56 without loss at stumps.

James Anderson finished with the most impressive economy rate of all the bowlers (1.90) and figures of 22-7-42-2, while England’s spinners struggled on a pitch many believed might offer them some assistance.

Here, Bleacher Report breaks down the major talking points from the action on Day 2.

Malik’s misery through in his memorable comeback

MARWAN NAAMANI/Getty Images

Despite Malik's epic effort with the bat, it was a treacherous route to get there.

On more than one occasion, Malik looked in great pain. A combination of being out in the heat for hours and possibly the fact that he had not played Test cricket for five years meant Malik struggled to keep going.

At one stage, he was flat out on his back and had to take a break.

Rashid's baptism by Test-cricket fire

Adil Rashid has quickly learned that Test cricket is tough going.

The England spinner was the most expensive of all the bowlers—with an economy rate of 4.79, 163 runs conceded and no wickets.

It's a tough initiation for a young bowler and the kind of thing that can severely dent any player's confidence.

Hopefully England management have some words with him about how to better use his variations when the wickets just aren't coming, and he needs to keep things tidy.

Asad Shafiq's memorable year

Shafiq has had a really impressive year in Test cricket.

He has scored three tons in six Tests and is averaging 60.87. That figure is his highest average since 2010.

What's even more impressive is that Shafiq is batting lower down the order, despite actually being a top-order player.

What’s in a pitch?

There is still plenty of time left in this Test, and there is every chance that the pitch might break up as things progress.

The run-rate has been moderate—with 3.45 runs per over overall—but at times it looked painful for the players.

The batsmen have had to be patient while the bowlers have toiled. Nobody wants to see three-day Tests, but a little bit of assistance to get the game scuttling along never goes amiss.

Moeen Ali’s audition as opener

England’s game of musical chairs with their Test opener continues.

After Adam Lyth endured a tough summer against Australia, he’s been given the boot, and Ali has been ushered in at the top of the order.

It says a lot that he scored slower than Cook in England’s first innings, but so far, he has looked determined and settled.

Becoming comfortable in the role during this series is crucial, as a tough tour against South Africa awaits them at the end of the year.