ABU DHABI: England opener Alex Hales said Saturday he hoped his century in the second match would spur his team to a series win over Pakistan, saying it was a special feeling to contribute to the convincing victory in which the tourists finally overcame the hosts' spin threat.

Hales hit 109 for his maiden hundred to guide England to a challenging 283-5 in Abu Dhabi on Friday before pacemen Chris Woakes (4-33) and David Willey (3-25) helped skittle Pakistan out for 188 for a 95-run win.

Hales targetted the Pakistan spinners during his effort, picking up 36 runs from 28 balls against Yasir Shah. He smacked the legspinner, who returned figures of 9-70-0, for two huge sixes and as many boundaries.

That helped England to level the series at 1-1 after losing the first game -- also in Abu Dhabi -- by six wickets.

Hales said England were focused on winning the four-match series, with the third game in Sharjah on Tuesday followed by the final match in Dubai on Friday.

“All that's in my mind now is trying to win these two games, and this series, against Pakistan,” said Hales, whose previous best of 67 came against New Zealand at home in June this year.

Hales said scoring a hundred gave him a special feeling.

“This is a very special feeling, and something I'll remember for a long time - and it's also given us a chance as a team to win this series in tough conditions.”

Hales said he was disappointed after a poor show against Australia at home in September, scoring just 53 in the 3-2 loss.

“I was obviously very disappointed with how the Australia series went - and coming over here, being part of the Test squad, was a new challenge for me,” said Hales who was not played in England's preceding 2-0 Test defeat against Pakistan.

“I've had a good five, six weeks - getting used to conditions, with a lot of time in the nets against spin - and I'm pleased to get some rewards tonight.”

After his latest century, Hales expects to play in Tests on England's next month's tour of South Africa.

“That's something I'm trying hard not to think about. That tour is a different series, a different format against a different country.”

Pakistan captain Azhar Ali said his team did not relax after a 1-0 lead.

“We did not relax,” said Azhar.

“We stressed over not getting complacent and although we restricted them as they were in sight of 330 plus we then did not bat as per the plans. Azhar said his team would fight back.”

“We are capable of winning the series and I am sure that the boys will do their best to fight back as we want to win this series,” said Azhar.

Opinion

Editorial

Unquiet Lebanon
Updated 21 Jun, 2026

Unquiet Lebanon

Either Israel must silence its guns and withdraw from all of Lebanon, or face isolation and boycott from the international community.
Mothers at risk
21 Jun, 2026

Mothers at risk

FOR years, efforts to reduce maternal deaths have focused heavily on postpartum haemorrhage — the severe bleeding...
Political budget
21 Jun, 2026

Political budget

THE KP budget does not read like a document of a province getting its fiscal house in order. Revenue is projected at...
Pakistan’s moment
Updated 20 Jun, 2026

Pakistan’s moment

Pakistan’s diplomats are second to none, and if these states seek to engage this country constructively, a new modus vivendi for the subcontinent can be reached.
Menacing water plans
20 Jun, 2026

Menacing water plans

IN April last year, India suspended the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty, which contains no provision allowing it to...
World Refugee Day
20 Jun, 2026

World Refugee Day

WORLD Refugee Day, observed today around the globe, marks 75 years since the adoption of the 1951 convention ...