PAK vs ENG, 3rd Test: Sajid Khan haunts England with cracking 6-fer despite Smith's 89, visitors make quick amends to leave Pakistan reeling at 73/3

Pakistan's ace spinner Sajid Khan produced a masterful spell on the first day of the third Test against England in Rawalpindi. His six-wicket haul dismantled the English batting lineup, leaving them struggling at 118/6 at one stage and then folding them for 276. The Rawalpindi pitch, prepared to assist spin, played a big role in Pakistan's dominance. The dry and turning conditions allowed Sajid to exploit the weaknesses of the English batsmen. His accuracy and guile were instrumental in breaking down the English resistance.

Sajid Khan runs through England batting with spin artistry

Sajid Khan's spell was the highlight of Pakistan's dominant performance on the first day. The talented spinner claimed six wickets, exploiting the spin-friendly conditions to bamboozle the English batsmen. His impressive figures of 6/128 rank among the best bowling performances ever recorded at Rawalpindi, placing him alongside legendary spinners like Mushtaq Ahmed and Noman Ali. Noman provided excellent support, contributing three wickets and further consolidating Pakistan's dominance. England struggled to build any meaningful partnerships against the relentless spin attack, as Pakistan opted to bowl exclusively with spinners throughout the day.

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Jamie Smith's fighting 89

England's batting innings was on the brink of collapse when Jamie Smith (89) and Gus Atkinson (39) formed an unlikely partnership. Their 105-run stand not only rescued England from a potentially disastrous total but also propelled them to a respectable score of 267. Atkinson's aggressive batting and Smith's composed approach were instrumental in this resurgence.

Pakistan's cautious start

In response to England's total, Pakistan's innings got off to a steady start. However, England's spinners soon turned the tide, dismissing key batsmen like Shafique (14), Ghulam (3), and Ayub (19). Jack Leach, leading England's spin attack, exploited the turning track to keep Pakistan's batsmen under pressure. The hosts found it difficult to build partnerships and maintain momentum against the disciplined English bowling.

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The second day of the Rawalpindi Test is set to be a spin-dominated affair, with both teams fielding multiple spinners on a pitch that continues to offer assistance to the tweakers. England, having gained momentum towards the end of the first day, will aim to further capitalize on the favorable conditions and put pressure on Pakistan's middle order. On the other hand, Pakistan will hope their lower order can consolidate and narrow the gap with England's total. While both teams will be content with their performance on the opening day, the match remains finely poised and the outcome looks uncertain.