Alastair Cook an inspirational leader, says Ian Bell

Ian Bell and England captain Alastair Cook cool down during day three of the 1st Test between Pakistan and England

Ian Bell lauded skipper Alastair Cook’s masterful batting display against Pakistan during the first Test which concluded on Saturday. Cook’s brilliantly crafted 263 took England within touching distance of a famous win at Sheikh Zayed stadium in Abu Dhabi, ESPN Cricinfo reports.

Bell praised his captain’s efforts with the bat, terming it a ‘masterclass’. “He's so organised," Bell said. "When I watch him against spin his defence is incredible. He executed the sweep today as well as I've ever seen him through a day of Test cricket. The way he works out his angles, for left-handers the rough outside their off stump can be tricky, but it was a masterclass," Bell said.

Cook was ably supported by the consistent Joe Root, who fell just 15 short of his ninth Test ton. Cook in tandem with Root kept the Pakistan bowlers at bay on a sluggish wicket, sharing a crucial 141-run stand for the fourth wicket, before Root was snapped up behind the stumps off Rahat Ali.

The duo made the left-right hand combination work effectively, making the fielders toil on a hot and humid day in Abu Dhabi. It was hard work for Pakistan’s bowling contingent who had nothing going for them on a barren pitch. They looked visibly tired and as the partnership wore on. With England carrying a 46-run lead into the fifth and final day, the high scoring encounter looked destined to be a draw.

"He's got a great record in Asia, he played it beautifully," he said. "He has a lovely temperament and the way he played took the pressure off the other batsmen. He killed the zip of the spinners and seamers nicely. It was a brilliant innings once again."

Bad light denies England an unlikely win

Alastair Cook’s men were denied a memorable win against Pakistan in the first test on Saturday, as the umpires called the play off prematurely on Day 5, citing bad light. Needing 99 runs to win with possibility of 20 overs being bowled, the Poms were 74 for 4, when Australian umpires Bruce Oxenford and Paul Reiffel halted the proceedings with insufficient light.

Earlier in the day, debutant Adil Rashid’s five wicket haul saw Pakistan bundled out for 173 in their second innings, with an overall lead of 98 after England’s first innings ended on 598.

Cook: the milestone man

On a territory where most batsman struggle against spin, Alastair Cook has made it a happy habit to score runs in Tests against the Asian opponents when travelling.

1. In 19 matches in Asia, the stylish opener has amassed 2, 065 runs – the most by any batsman outside Asia at an astonishing average of 62.57.
2. He has 8 Test centuries to boast of on Asian soil – joint top with Jacques Kallis, with half of them scored in India.
3. Interestingly Cook’s 263 is the second highest individual score by an Englishman against Pakistan, the highest being Denis Compton’s 278 at Nottingham in 1954.

4. The English skipper also leads the charts for most Test runs in 2015 with 1,170. He’s closely followed by compatriot Joe Root at 1,086.