Moeen Ali reached the 50 wicket mark in Test cricket by striking twice in two overs for England on the second day of the Second Test against Pakistan in Dubai today.
The Worcestershire all-rounder had to be content with a single success on day one when opener Mohammad Hafeez was caught by Jonny Bairstow diving back from short leg after the ball had ballooned up off an inside edge and the knee roll.
But the 28-year-old enjoyed a double breakthrough to dismiss Sarfraz Ahmed and Wahab Riaz and had figures of 3-94 at that stage from 23 overs.
It took Moeen to the half century mark in his 18th Test – 16 months after making his debut in the five-day game for his country against Sri Lanka at Lord's.
Sarfraz Ahmed was Moeen's first victim today when, after making 32, he was caught low down to his right by Jimmy Anderson at mid on with the total 334-6 in the 107th over.
Moeen broke through again in his next over when Wahab Riaz (6) tried to hit him over the top and again Anderson safely pouched the catch at mid on with Pakistan eventually dismissed for 378.
He finished with figures of 3-108.
Moeen opened with Alastair Cook but made only a single before he fell to a reflex catch by Shan Masood after turning Wahab Riaz off the middle of the bat to short leg.
