Rahat refuses to let England get away

Pakistan's production line for fast bowlers is as prolific as that of any other nation in the world. The quality may vary compared to previous eras but they keep on coming regardless. Icons of the game such as Imran Khan, Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar are the reason why one cricketing generation is inspired by the next. To be considered as a genuine fast bowler is one of the highest accolades imaginable.

Amid such a rich heritage, Rahat Ali seems a bit of an imposter. He has rarely been interviewed, his profile remains largely anonymous despite the fact that he has played 14 Test matches in the last two years. But on a tough second day for his team in Sharjah, his dismissal of the rock of England's middle order, Joe Root, was one of the key reasons why his team was able to stay in touch.

Rahat has rarely been taken seriously but despite being some notches short of greatness he is still a skilful bowler. He lacks the sheer speed of some of his predecessors - there is little of the open chest, the swaggering gait and the striking stride of his forebears - and some might even consider him to be an unPakistani fast bowler. For all that, his debut in 2012 came after 61 wickets on the domestic circuit at an impressive average of 19.01.

In Abu Dhabi against England, Wahab Raiz stole the show for defying the lifeless conditions with heart, soul and stamina, if not a huge haul of wickets. Rahat, however, showcased his discipline, drumming out 28 overs on the flattest of wickets and he was at it again today. Wahab's reverse swing may have eluded him but an impressive 84 percent of his deliveries were dot balls, as he conceded only 35 runs in 16 overs. And Root, of all batsmen, has twice been his solitary scalp.

"He is the world No. 1 batsman and I respect him but I didn't want him to get set so I attacked right from the start," said Rahat. "I knew if he get set he can create problem so we need to get him out as soon as possible."

On an attritional day, Pakistan claimed only four wickets but by preventing England from taking the lead, they kept themselves firmly in the contest. "It was the tough day but we bowled well," said Rahat. "We got one big chance in the first session and we could have carried that forward but we couldn't get much in the second and third session. But we still have a chance in the game and tomorrow, within the first session, taking wickets will get us back in the game."

In the recent past, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Irfan and Imran Khan have made their mark as the new attack leaders for Pakistan but Rahat's progress has been more of a slow burn. He won a man of the match reward for picking up six wickets in two innings against New Zealand last year but he has struggled to live up to the promise of his six-wicket haul in only his second Test at Centurion.

"I am fully backed and given full confidence," said Rahat, when asked about leading Pakistan's attack. "Since I have played most of my cricket here in the conditions of the UAE, where it's really tough for the fast bowler, I give my best and try to do what needs to be done."

Rahat, was 25 when he made his international debut and has generally relied upon injuries, such as the one that befell Imran on the eve of this match, to build on his opportunities. His call-up for the 2015 World Cup came when Junaid sustained a knee injury and though he returned economical figures in five matches, he will be best remembered for dropping a famous catch off Shane Watson during Wahab Riaz's legendary spell. It wasn't exactly the way to enhance his reputation.

The defining features of Rahat are his machine-like durability and his rigorous fitness levels. He gives his captain the option of blocking up one end. "My role is to contain because you can't attack from both ends and you need a bowler for defence as well," said Rahat. "I have six wickets in South Africa, seven in Zimbabwe, but in the UAE it's different. I need to have supporting pitches to create a difference. You can't swing the new ball in the UAE and you have to take a chance on reversing the ball in the later overs. So I do play my part, but it's different from being an attack bowler. "

He might not have achieved much in the last three years but he neither has he faded away. Junaid has lost his place in the squad, Tanvir Ahmed and Mohammad Talha have lost their way, Sohail Khan and Mohamamd Irfan have broken down. But Rahat has endured and has definitely won a place in Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq's affections.

His endurance is "extraordinary", said his captain once. "He can bowl you a straight 10 overs at the best economy rate and can control any damage from attacking at the other end."

"We had a simple plan," said Rahat at the close. "To bowl on target and try not to give away runs. [The pitch] wasn't supporting us at all as we only had to rely on reverse swing. We wanted to contain, in which we are very much successful, conceding 200-odd runs in a day."