Pakistan v England, 3rd Test, Dubai, 1st day

Gul finds riposte after Pakistan fold for 99

England's batting has been so ineffably weak in this Test series that even the sight of a Pakistan side bundled out for 99 was not about to fill them with resolve. They were not short of alarms themselves, losing Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott in eight overs by tea that again left them stricken by self doubt.

Memories of England's batting debacles as they lost the first two Tests must have preyed on Cook's mind as he fell to the sort of hesitant jab against Umar Gul that Australia, in England's victorious Ashes series barely a year ago, must have dreamed of. Gul also had Trott lbw, a dodgy decision by the umpire, Steve Davis, that England failed to review.

A Test series that had promised more attritional cricket on unresponsive pitches once again threw up an unexpected twist. Broad and James Anderson produced spritely, persistent new-ball spells and England took drinks at 21 for 5, the series lost but respect partially recovered. Then again, they have not batted against Saeed Ajmal yet.

There was a little swing and some unexpected bounce. This was far from a fast bowlers' feast but Broad and Anderson maintained fullish lengths and Pakistan's top order, which has escaped criticism only because of England's more theatrical vulnerability, was again found wanting. This has not been an impressive series for batsmen.

Broad's new-ball return of 3 for 12 in six overs included two overturned decisions for the Australian umpire Simon Taufel as England successfully resorted to DRS. There was little argument about the first as Azhar Ali's inside edge, and catch by the wicketkeeper Matt Prior moving to his left, was confirmed by hot spot, but the dismissal of Mohammad Hafeez was more controversial.

England were searching for a wicketkeeper's catch but there seemed to be little conclusive evidence to overturn Taufel's decision. Those blessed with the eyes of a hawk and high-definition TVs also spotted a slight mark on hot spot that should have reprieved Hafeez. Shavir Tarapore, the third umpire from India in his fourth Test, gave him out, causing Hafeez to walk to the dressing room slapping his bat in unconcealed disgust.

In the seconds a fielding side has to decide on a review, the captain, Andrew Strauss, mentally dons a business suit, calls a management meeting, studies a report, draws conclusions and lays out a systematic process. The sense is of clipboards, posh pens and PowerPoint presentations. He can barely score a run or hold a slip catch but in terms of managerial qualities he is exceptional.

In England in 2010, Pakistan collapsed for 72, 76 and 80, three batting disasters at Edgbaston, Lord's and Trent Bridge that count among their eight lowest Test scores in history. They no longer had to contend with a surly English summer but they did face the debilitating effect of a series already secured.

Their collapse began in the first over, Taufeeq Umar defeated by Anderson's inswinger. There were few demons in the ball from Broad that dismissed Azhar and Younis Khan's jab at a wide, rising ball, even allowing for the unexpected steepness of the bounce: another poor shot in a career nearing its end.

Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan's captain, by now had donned his undertaker's expression and he was unable to stem the flow of England wickets. He opted for a review after Anderson rattled a full delivery into his pads but the decision of umpire Steve Davis was upheld.

Adnan Akmal's recourse to DRS after Broad won an lbw decision had an air of desperation and wasted Pakistan's second review. Adnan should also have been run out when he pushed Anderson into the offside and was drawn into a single he never fancied. But Eoin Morgan, who had been preferred to Ravi Bopara in an unchanged England XI, missed the stumps with an overarm throw.

Abdur Rehman's slog at Graeme Swann, in his solitary over, was the worst shot of the morning. Kevin Pietersen following his uncertain catch as he pedalled back at mid-off with a treatise about how the ball had come out of the largest sun you ever did see.

For Pakistan the morning brought back bad memories of their first Test in the UAE. Against Australia in Sharjah ten years ago they were dismissed for 53 and 59 - Pakistan's two lowest Test scores. Misbah, Taufeeq and Younis were all in the top six then. In some ways little has changed in Pakistan cricket. In other, more significant ways, everything has changed.

David Hopps is the UK editor of ESPNcricinfo