In a dramatic turn of events, Pakistan surged ahead in the third Test against England, leaving the visitors on the brink of a series defeat. Following a gripping second day of play, Pakistan established a first-innings lead of 77 runs, propelled by an outstanding century from Saud Shakeel and a formidable performance from their bowlers.
Pakistan posted a total of 344, thanks largely to Shakeel’s impressive 134 runs off 223 balls. His innings, marked by patience and precision, featured just five boundaries, but it was his role in crucial partnerships that anchored the innings. He received valuable support from Noman Ali, who scored 45, and Sajid Khan, who contributed an unbeaten 48. The pair helped Pakistan recover from a precarious 177 for 7, with vital lower-order stands of 88 and 72 runs, which proved pivotal in setting a challenging target for England.
In response, England’s batting lineup faced a disastrous collapse, ending the day at 24 for 3 after being bowled out for 267 in their first innings. Captain Ben Stokes’s side now trails by 53 runs as they grapple with a precarious position in the match.
Rehan Ahmed, making a mark in his first series appearance, was the standout performer for England with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 66 runs. His spell included key dismissals of both Mohammed Rizwan and Salman Agha, helping to reduce Pakistan to a vulnerable state before Shakeel steadied the innings.
The day began with England looking to consolidate their position after an extended opening session. However, after lunch, Shakeel and Noman turned the tide. Shakeel, who began the day on 16, displayed an old-school batting technique, focusing on rotating the strike and building partnerships. His century came with calm celebrations, fully aware of the work still ahead for his team.
As Pakistan’s innings came to a close, England found themselves in dire straits early in their second innings. Sajid Khan’s dismissal of Ben Duckett triggered a swift collapse, with England losing three wickets for just five runs in a catastrophic spell. Duckett was trapped LBW, and Ollie Pope followed soon after, edging a catch to slip off a deflected delivery from Rizwan’s gloves.
With Joe Root (5) and Harry Brook (3) at the crease, England will need to regroup quickly. Both players have previously shown the ability to build innings, notably combining for a staggering 454 runs in the first Test at Multan.
As the series hangs in the balance, the third Test continues to captivate, with Pakistan inching closer to their first home series win since 2021. The stage is set for a compelling third day, where England must rally to keep their series hopes alive.
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