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England lose Moeen Ali before lunch

Moeen Ali departs before lunch on day three, but captain Alastair Cook edges closer to a century as England set about closing the gap to Pakistan's hefty first-innings score.

England's opening-wicket partnership between captain Alastair Cook and Moeen Ali was broken just seven overs before lunch on day three of the first Test against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

Day two had belonged to Pakistan and in particular Shoaib Malik, who scored the first double-century of his career to help his side to a post a total of 523-8 declared.

That left Cook and Ali to negotiate their way through the final 21 overs of the day, which they did successfully with a score of 56-0.

Returning this morning 467 runs short of the hosts, the English duo went on to add another 60 to their overnight tally before Ali edged Imran Khan's swinging delivery into the gloves of Pakistan wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed.

The dismissal of Ali for 35 brought Ian Bell to the crease in what is his 115th Test - only four players have made more appearances for England.

Bell got through to lunch with just one run to his name, while Cook up the other end remained unbeaten on 78.

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Liam Apicella
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Shoaib Malik of Pakistan celebrates reaching his double century during Day Two of the First Test between Pakistan and England at Zayed Cricket Stadium on October 14, 2015 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
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