Second Test: We wanted to bat while wicket is still good, says Paul Farbrace

Cook had the opportunity to put Pakistan back in again once England bowled the tourists out for just 198.

But their captain was dissuaded during a ninth-wicket stand of 60 between Misbah-ul-Haq (52) and Wahab Riaz from taking the quick route to a probable innings victory.

Instead, after England extended their advantage by a further 98-1 at stumps on a rain-shortened third day, they will win at best by mere runs.

Their hope will be that the margin will still be substantial as they seek to level the four-match series at 1-1.

England’s assistant coach Paul Farbrace explained the thinking, and insisted the decision was reached without extensive discussions.

“The key to it was wanting to bat while the wicket is still good,” said Farbrace.

“We didn’t want to put ourselves under any pressure of having to chase a score in the fourth innings.”

Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur admitted to pleasant surprise at being spared the follow-on, and in his estimation it is a turn of events which gives his team a marginally better chance of achieving a still highly-improbable stalemate after they faltered first time round to Chris Woakes (4-67) and others.

Farbrace nonetheless added: “There wasn’t a lot of discussion - it was a simple conversation.

“Alastair and (coach) Trevor (Bayliss) are the two that would have a decent conversation.

“The longer it went, the feeling was ‘let’s get back in while the wicket is still good’.

“When you make those decisions, you get on and back it up. It’s up to us to prove we got it right.”

England, who are likely to bat on for just half-a-session or so today, did not use pace pair James Anderson and Stuart Broad after lunch – with only two more wickets needed.

Farbrace said: “We still think the pitch will deteriorate over the next couple of days, and the bounce will be variable.

“We were hoping to bowl them out a lot quicker and then they’d be fresh to take the new ball when we enforced.

“The longer it went, the decision was taken to bat again.

“We all have opinions, and they vary.

“You can understand why people wanted to enforce ... but we’re happy with decision. We’re in a great position.”

Arthur does not dispute that, but was relieved Pakistan did not have to bat again straightaway.

“Alastair Cook has his reasons,” he said.

“We’re happy that he didn’t (enforce the follow-on), but England are so far ahead he could take time out and rest his quick bowlers.

He added: “All I can say is we fully expected to be batting again.”

Pakistan must still contemplate batting for at least five sessions to survive, Manchester weather permitting.

Arthur added: “It probably gives us a bit better chance but ... irrespective of when Alastair decided to declare, we’re still going to have to bat damned well.

“I just think we’ll probably just have to bat well for a little bit less (time).”

England will counter that Pakistan will have to do so in tougher conditions.

Vindication awaits.