Form is temporary, class is permanent — a saying that goes well for those who remain consistently in the frame and last much longer in sports than those who struggle to find their feet and keep their place intact.

Alastair Cook, the highest run-maker in English cricket history, is one of those individuals who has time and again proven just that to remain among the leading batsmen of the game.

Ungainly though he may be in style or in execution of his shots when cutting, pushing or nudging, Cook does look brilliant when driving in front on either side of the wicket.

His fifth Test century against Pakistan, and 29th overall, was indeed a timely one for his team which — trailing 0-1 in the series — are desperate to redeem themselves to turn things around.

With Joe Root, Cook forms the backbone of a rather suspect batting outfit. The second-wicket stand of 185 between Cook and Roots speaks for itself.

On a batting track of even bounce and not much bite for spin, the left-hander did bat sensibly along with Root who I feel is a lot more talented than his captain.

I am sure had Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss he would have made the similar decision on a wicket which is firm, dry and lacks in pace as well as turn.

Pakistan despite the irresponsive wicket did bowl well to keep the batsmen in defensive mode for long periods with Yasir Shah well in the hunt for wickets, but without much luck.

But not many fell during the day as England consolidated their stay at the crease even after losing their captain and key man Cook.

Luckily James Vince parted without doing much damage after Younis Khan in the slips spilled a simple chance off Mohammad Amir who bowled superbly throughout the day.

Misbah knows well the value of making changes in bowling when the chips are down. In the match yesterday he made frequent changes and also the ends for his bowlers to break partnerships. On a batting wicket where the bowlers struggle it is important to employ such tactics timely.

At lunch I was not surprised when former England captain Mike Brearley, who is now The Times columnist, told me that he is impressed with Misbah and his handling of the bowlers.

“At Lord’s, Misbah looked so cool in the field and also the way he batted in the first innings holding the innings together,” Brearley said. “It is not easy here at Old Trafford for bowlers and yet he has handled them well. He is good the way he moves in the field.”

Not a great batsman of his time, Brearley took over as England skipper in hard times in 1977 when Tony Greig rebelled and joined World Series Cricket while Ian Botham failed as captain in bringing the back to the top. Brearley, on the other hand, did very well as a leader, turning out to be one of the best captains of England.

A great admirer of Hanif Mohammad, Brearley, a Cambridge graduate and and practicing pshyco-analyst, reckons the present Pakistan team has a bunch of very talented individuals.

And when a man of his experience opens up in praise of the Pakistan captain and his team, then I suppose Pakistan will not give in against this England team.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2016