ALASTAIR Cook admitted England’s failure to find a regular opening partner for him is “a concern” after Pakistan wrapped up a 2-0 series victory in Sharjah.

England were bowled out for 156, chasing an unlikely winning target of 284 in the third Test, leaving Cook to reflect on a series where the tourists were competitive but outplayed at crucial moments.

“We were just second best to Pakistan in these conditions and it is frustrating,” the Essex star and England captain said.

“(The opening partner) is a concern I don't think we have quite foundthe answer.

“When we were number one in the world (rankings) we had a really solid settled batting line-up, but we are in transition at the moment.

“There were runs to be had out there. But when you lose four wickets in the first 20 minutes and your middle order gets blown away, you are not going to win the game.”

Cook tried manfully to halt the disintergration of England’s batting line up.

He came very close to carrying his bat throughout the innings before he was stumped by Sarfraz Ahmed off the bowling of Shoaib Malik for 63, the ninth wicket to fall.