The 31-year-old's leadership of a side who are yet to achieve their potential has been impressive and is constantly improving
Throughout his England captaincy, Alastair Cook has been dismissed as a negative leader.
And, judging by the reaction to his non-enforcement of the follow-on on Sunday, it is a reputation that he will never shake off.
Yes, there were several compelling reasons to stick Pakistan back into bat having just rolled out the tourists for 198 on a pretty flat pitch.
But with conditions good, two England bowlers just back from injury, and the chance to set an enormous lead with more than two days remaining, to bat again was a perfectly reasonable call.
By grinding a three-man pace attack into the ground before demoralising the Pakistanis into a fourth-innings submission, it was also a tactic that could yet reap some longer-term benefits.
Cook’s England still went on to win the second Test in emphatic style.
Shane Warne – a vocal critic of Cook in the past – whined his way through his afternoon commentary stint, all while conveniently ignoring that the great Australia side of which he was such a key part used to adopt the very same tactics.
But whereas Steve Waugh et al were hailed for being aggressive and forceful, Cook is castigated for being inexplicably negative.
Clearly, the 31-year-old is still struggling to ditch the baggage acquired thanks to past misdemeanours.
Even with 82 Tests to his name before inheriting the captaincy from Andrew Strauss in 2012, it was clear that he would need time to grow into the role.
Early series victories over India and Australia were characterised by defensive fields designed to bore out opposition and slow run rates with the bat.
Cook’s style has never been idolised in the same way as previous and current contemporaries such as Kevin Pietersen and Joe Root.
In an era of T20-inspired innovation, explosive hitting, and bravado, Cook’s clunky manner just doesn’t capture the imagination.
The accusations that he faced on Sunday proved that memories of previous defeats – not least the Ashes whitewash of 2013/14 – have still not been eradicated.
But the truth is that Cook’s most recent 12 months in the job have been as excellent as the period beforehand was poor.
Thanks in part to the appointment of Andrew Strauss as Director of Cricket alongside Trevor Bayliss – both of whom have helped significantly in a switch of mind-set – Cook now looks the part in leading a young, attacking side that are able to entertain.
After 50 Test matches in charge, he has now won 22.
For perspective, his predecessor Strauss – widely regarded as one of England’s best captains of recent times – retired after the same number having won 24 but lost three more.
Strauss led England’s venture to the top of the world rankings, but he never won a series in the subcontinent. Cook has won two.
Strauss also failed to win in South Africa back in 2009/10, where Cook’s charges claimed victory last winter.
Each have two Ashes series to their name. And Cook is still going.
Of course, it is not all about comparisons.
But Cook’s captaincy is constantly improving at the helm of a side who are yet to fully achieve their potential.
Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes all play in an aggressive and bullish manner.
All have established themselves under Cook, who has helped to cultivate an atmosphere in which freedom and expression is encouraged.
So when he elected to bat again on Sunday afternoon, perhaps – as evidenced by his subsequent run-a-ball half-century – he was simply feeling in a ruthless mood, rather than exposing his old flaws.
