Pakistan bowled out for 344, lead England by 77 runs in third Test in Pindi

Rawalpindi (Reuters/AFP): Saud Shakeel’s crafty 134 fetched Pakistan a handy first-innings lead before their spinners blew away England’s top order to boost their hopes of a memorable series victory on day two of the deciding third test in Rawalpindi on Friday.

Pakistan had slumped to 46-3 but Saud stitched four 50-plus partnerships, including with tailenders Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, to reach 344 all out — a lead of 77 — in a remarkable turnaround.

Pakistan further consolidated their position by reducing England to 24-3 when bad light stopped play at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Rehan Ahmed’s three quick wickets turned an evenly poised deciding third Test England’s way on Friday, leaving Pakistan teetering on 187-7 in Rawalpindi.

The 20-year-old knocked over Mohammad Rizwan (25), Salman Agha (one) and Aamer Jamal (14) to enter the lunch break on day two with figures of 3-25.

England still lead by 80 runs.

Pakistan’s batting was held together by Saud Shakeel’s unbeaten 72. He was accompanied by Noman Ali on six not out after no other batter from the home team managed to cross 30.

Pakistan added 114 runs in the extended two-and-a-half-hour session due to Friday prayers.

.@saudshak battles with a solid knock as Pakistan trail by 80 runs at lunch on day two 🏏#PAKvENG | #TestAtHome pic.twitter.com/5SMPmCbq6r

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 25, 2024

Shakeel, who reached his eighth Test half-century off 132 balls, has so far hit four boundaries in his fighting knock.

England’s frontline spinners Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir could not extract the same sharp turn from the pitch as rival Sajid Khan, who took 6-128 to dismiss the visitors for 267 on Thursday.

Pakistan resumed the day at 73-3 in search of a lead to press for a series win.

But Shakeel was the only batter able to press on after reaching double figures. He added 53 for the fourth wicket with captain Shan Masood who fell to Bashir for 26.

It was England’s first breakthrough, as Masood edged to slip. Pakistan looked to be getting their innings back on track as Rizwan joined Shakeel and the pair put on 52 for the fifth wicket.

But the introduction of Rehan into the bowling attack derailed their innings. He trapped Rizwan and Agha leg before in successive overs and then bowled Jamal to give England the edge.

The three-match series is tied at 1-1.