Manchester: Alastair Cook caused a stir with his surprise decision to spare Pakistan the follow-on as England nonetheless stayed on course for a wide-margin series-levelling victory at Old Trafford yesterday.

Pakistan's captain Misbah-ul-Haq (R) watches England's captain Alastair Cook (L) leave the pitch at the end of play on the third day of the second Test cricket match between England and Pakistan at Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester. Pic/ AFP