Pakistan took control of the series-deciding third Test against England in Rawalpindi, with spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali wreaking havoc. After Saud Shakeel's impressive century put Pakistan in a strong position, England's batting line-up struggled to cope with the spin-friendly pitch.
Pakistan in dominant position to seal Test series against England
Sajid and Noman claimed early wickets, reducing England to 24/3. Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, and Ollie Pope were dismissed cheaply, leaving England with a mountain to climb. Joe Root and Harry Brook were at the crease when bad light forced an early end to the day's play.
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England still face a challenging task of avoiding an innings defeat, needing 53 runs to save the match with seven wickets remaining. The series is currently tied at 1-1, with each team winning a Test in Multan.
Saud Shakeel's spellbinding century makes headlines on Day 2
Saud Shakeel's impressive 134-run knock was the highlight of the day, putting Pakistan in a commanding position. His patient innings, spanning 322 minutes and 223 balls, lifted Pakistan from a precarious position and brought them closer to a potential series victory.
If Pakistan can secure a win in this Test, it would be their first home Test series victory since defeating South Africa in February 2021.
Ahmed was the standout bowler for Pakistan, taking four wickets for 66 runs. Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir also made a valuable contribution, claiming three wickets for 129 runs.
Saud Shakeel, 29, played a crucial role in Pakistan's innings, forming an 88-run partnership with Noman Ali. Noman contributed a valuable 45 runs before being dismissed by Shoaib Bashir.
Shakeel continued his impressive performance, adding another 72 runs with Sajid Khan, who scored an unbeaten career-best 48. Shakeel, unfortunately, was dismissed by Gus Atkinson, and Zahid Mahmood was the final wicket to fall. England had initially gained an advantage as young spinner Ahmed took three quick wickets, leaving Pakistan struggling at 187/7 at lunch. However, the partnership between Shakeel and Noman turned the tide, frustrating England's plans.
Shakeel's composed batting performance, including a well-crafted century, was crucial for Pakistan's innings. His partnership with Noman Ali, who survived a close leg-before decision and a dropped catch, helped Pakistan add a valuable 80 runs in the second session. Rehan Ahmed, England's young spinner, troubled Pakistan's middle order, dismissing Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, and Aamer Jamal. However, Shakeel's resilience and Noman's support allowed Pakistan to recover.
Unlike Pakistan's spinners, England's Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir struggled to extract consistent turn from the pitch. Shakeel, the only top-order batter to reach double figures, proved to be the backbone of Pakistan's innings, guiding them towards a potentially match-winning total.
