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England's Alastair Cook blames defeat to Pakistan on first-innings collapse

England captain Alastair Cook blames his side's defeat to Pakistan in the second Test on the team's first-innings collapse in Dubai.

England captain Alastair Cook has blamed the second-Test defeat to Pakistan on his side's batting collapse in their first innings in Dubai.

Adil Rashid came close to salvaging the Test for England by scoring 61 from 172 balls, but he was eventually dismissed and Pakistan claimed a 178-run victory.

Cook praised his teammate's effort, but he believes that the Test was beyond their reach after losing seven wickets and adding just 60 runs in the morning session of day three.

"Adil is obviously very disappointed," The Guardian quotes Cook as saying. "What great character he has shown, but you don't need to be a rocket scientist to realise you can't lose seven for 60.

"To win games of cricket out here you have to be absolutely relentless for five days. Credit to the way Pakistan bowled, but we didn't bat well in that two hours and it cost us."

England are 1-0 down in the series with just one final Test remaining.

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Danielle Joynson
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Adil Rashid of England reacts after being hit to the boundary during day two of the 1st Test between Pakistan and England at Zayed Cricket Stadium on October 14, 2015 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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