Pakistan are currently at the bottom of the WTC Standings with only two wins from seven outings. Meanwhile, England are seventh and have had five results go their way from 14 matches in this WTC cycle.
Ali was among the wicket-takers for Pakistan in the second innings as he notched a brace, including the wicket of England captain Joe Root. He also snapped three dismissals in the first innings.
England lost four wickets on Day 3 as rain cut short the action in London, with only 24.5 overs bowled. However, the hosts have built on the sizeable first-innings lead of 180 runs, adding another 177 in the second, with three more wickets in hand.
“The deficit from the first innings was too deep anyway. When you’re so far behind, all you can do is get opposition wickets as quickly as possible,” Ali believes.
“I think we bowled better here than in the first innings. In better areas and with more consistency. That’s why England are 177 for 7.”