Saud Shakeel’s unbeaten century loosened England’s grip on the series deciding third Test against Pakistan after Rehan Ahmed’s three-wicket burst put the tourists ahead in Rawalpindi on the second morning.
Ahmed appeared to have turned the game heavily in England’s favor when he dismissed Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha and Aamer Jamal in crucial moments before lunch, but Shakeel had other plans.
Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith had a tricky chance in the fifth over of the day to rescue Shakeel on 26 and he took full advantage by grinding his way to 107 not out.
Pakistan erased a deficit of 80 runs and posted 267 for 8, with Shoaib Bashir hitting 88 along with tailender Noman Ali.
Saud Shaqil’s knock
There was nothing flashy or showmanlike about Shakeel’s innings, which had just four boundaries in nearly four-and-a-half hours, but his meticulous build-up changed the tone of the match.
His life came in the fifth over of the day, nicking Bashir’s neatly spinning delivery and seeing the ball bounce off Smith’s gloves as he stepped on the stumps. It was Smith’s blistering 89 that brought England’s first innings back from the brink, but for the second match in a row he saw a vital opportunity slip away.
The fourth wicket partnership added to the frustration of the fielding side as they were caught on 53, but Bashir eventually picked out left-hander Shan Masood thanks to a smart low catch from Ollie Pope at second slip.
Shakeel went on to keep England at bay and moved to a solid half-century off 92 balls when he swept Bashir for a boundary and Pakistan reduced their lead to 116 as Rizwan showed greater intent.
Rehan Ahmed’s counterattack
Entering Ahmed, who was kept in reserve for 24 overs, struck with the ninth ball when Rizwan hit the fresh air with a sweep lbw.
Eight months on from his previous cap, the 20-year-old clearly added to his impact, earning a tougher verdict from the referee to knock out newcomer Salman in the next round.
Now the youngster blasted Jamal with a rushing googly outside off and bowled an all-rounder through the inside edge.
Pakistan went from 151 for 4 to 187 for 7 at lunch, but Shakeel worked hard. After the first extended session for Friday prayers, a short afternoon was Shakeel’s time. He put one and two in, steered and prodded at will as he collected 100 off 181 balls, and Noman held on to his end to frustrate England.
Part-time spinner Joe Root’s first ball almost got him through, Ben Stokes was unable to take a diving catch at slips and Bashir finally ended the partnership in the final over before teeing off when he trapped Noman in front of middle.
Pakistan got the score right off the second delivery as Shakeel tapped in another single.
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