England Trails by 77 Runs After Pakistan’s 344 All Out in Third Test
- The Pakistan vs England 3rd Test match heads into day three.
- Joe Root and Harry Brook will be crucial for England’s survival.
- Pakistan’s spinners responded with Sajid dismissing Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley.
Saud Shakeel’s impressive 134 powered Pakistan to a strong first-innings lead, setting the stage for their spinners to dismantle England’s top order on day two of the decisive third Test in Rawalpindi. After Pakistan initially faltered at 46-3, Saud forged four key 50-plus partnerships, including crucial stands with tailenders Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, lifting Pakistan to 344 all out and a 77-run lead.
Pakistan’s momentum continued as they reduced England to 24-3 by the time bad light halted play. Joe Root, at five, and Harry Brook, on three, will be vital to England’s survival when play resumes on Saturday.
England skipper Ben Stokes began the day with spinners from both ends, and Saud was granted a reprieve at 26 when an edge to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith went low. Nevertheless, Shoaib Bashir managed to dismiss Pakistan captain Shan Masood for 26, caught in the slips.
Late in the session, Rehan Ahmed (4-66) impacted with a sharp lbw call against Mohammad Rizwan for 25, despite Rizwan’s unsuccessful review. Rehan soon bowled Salman Agha in similar fashion and baffled Aamer Jamal with a well-timed googly that led to an edge onto the stumps.
Saud’s disciplined knock featured an 88-run eighth-wicket partnership with Noman Ali, culminating in a single off Rehan to mark his hundred, celebrated with a raised fist and a fist bump with Noman. Bashir ended Noman’s resistance at 45, giving England their only post-lunch wicket, but Pakistan’s lower order added essential runs, with Sajid Khan remaining unbeaten on a brisk 48.
Sajid faced a brief injury scare after deflecting a ball to his face, but continued batting with a fresh shirt. Gus Atkinson’s bouncer eventually ended Saud’s innings as he was caught at mid-wicket.
Pakistan’s spinners struck back immediately, with Sajid dismissing Ben Duckett lbw in a successful review. Noman then removed Zak Crawley for the fourth time in the series and extended Ollie Pope’s challenging streak, keeping Pakistan in a commanding position as the match heads into day three.
