MOEEN Ali’s bowling was the most encouraging aspect as England got a reminder of the patience and stamina required in the United Arab Emirates on a hard-working final day of their first warm-up match.

Worcestershire all-rounder Moeen, expected to open alongside Alastair Cook in next week’s first Test, proved his effectiveness as England’s frontline spinner with 3-41.

But Iftikhar Ahmed (92no) and Fawad Alam (55) shut the tourists out, in a fourth-wicket stand of 112, for 44 overs — including the entire afternoon session — as Pakistan’s reply to 286-6 declared realised 216-5 in a pre-ordained stalemate in Sharjah.

Moeen and Durham paceman Mark Wood had provided the wickets as England made early inroads on this bowling day, after their 90 overs with the bat, reducing the hosts to 32-3 by late morning.

But it then became hard going, England’s only chance between lunch and tea passing them by when Cook was unable to hang on two-handed high to his right at slip after Iftikhar edged the first ball of pace bowler Stuart Broad’s second spell.