Pakistan’s day at the Oval
The third day was emphatically Pakistan’s in the final Investec Test Match at the Kia Oval. Younis Khan scored a magnificent double century as Pakistan piled on the runs to make 542. Crucially Pakistan then took four England wickets including Cook and Root in their second innings. At the close of Day 3 England trail by 126 runs with only six wickets remaining.
Pakistan began the third day of the fourth and final Investec Test at the Kia Oval at 340-6 with Sarfraz on 17 and Younis resuming on 101.
Sarfraz and Younis got off to brisk and solid start with Sarfraz adding quick runs and Pakistan bringing up the 350. Sarfraz continued to plough on with one gloved shot looping over Bairstow for four.
After a robust start in the first hour Pakistan had pushed on to 376-6 and a lead of 48 runs and Sarfraz and Younis had brought up their own fifty partnership.
Woakes was to get the wicket of Sarfraz for 44 with Bairstow taking a smart one handed catch. Pakistan's score of 397-7 gave them a lead of 69.
By lunch though Pakistan rallied again through Wahab and Younis and reached 417-7. This had clearly a great session for Pakistan to add 77 runs and take the lead on to 89 runs and to lose just one wicket. At lunch Younis was now 147 not out and Wahab on 1.
After lunch Wahab Riaz was first dropped from a very straightforward chance by Cook from Moeen but then stumped by Bairstow from Moeen for 4 with the score at at 434-8. He was unlucky as the ball ricocheted off Bairstow's pads into the stumps. This was only Bairstow’s second stumping in test cricket.
In response Younis launched a huge six from Moeen and England missed another chance with Root failing to catch Amir at slip from Broad.
Another big six came from Younis from Moeen over midwicket as he pushed towards a double hundred. Amir playing a supporting role as he occupied the crease.
Younis brought up a magnificent double century with a huge six over long on from Moeen. It had truly been a masterclass in shepherding the tail and was the sixth time he had scored a double century which equally Javed Miandad’s record for Pakistan. Only five players in test history have more double centuries. It is hard to overstate what a good and important innings this had been.
Amir now came to the party and hit Moeen for a big six over mid wicket. Until this point he had not scored from 23 balls which showed how responsibly Amir had played.
Pakistan’s lead now went past 150.
Younis and Amir now brought up their fifty partnership off just 67 balls.
Amir who had quickly moved to 15 and brought up Pakistan’s 500 edged the luckless Woakes through the slips.
After a rest of over three hours Jimmy Anderson was brought back to England’s attack.
Finally Younis’ magnificent innings came to an end when Jimmy Anderson successfully appeal for LBW. This was upheld on Review. The Oval crowd gave a generous and heartfelt standing ovation for a wonderful innings. Pakistan were now 531-9.
After a short spell of artful swishing Sohail was caught by Broad from Finn for 2. Amir left stranded unbeaten on 39. Pakistan’s innings ended on 542 which gave them a first innings lead of 214. A formidable deficit for England to eliminate.
At tea Pakistan would be delighted how the first two sessions of the day had gone.
There were early problems for Hales as England began their reply. Sohail found the edge and he then played and missed at Amir.
It was a fiery opening spell. Both Cook and Hales played and missed and an edge from Cook to Amir fell just short of the slips. A change of bowling brought the wicket and Cook was caught by Iftikhar from Wahab for 7. The England total 14-0.
Root came to the crease with England on the ropes. He and Hales brought some solidity to the England innings.
Yasir Shah now came into the action ad it worked. Hales was struck in the pads in front and the Umpire gave him LBW. Hales almost immediately reviewed but the third umpire upheld the decision. England 49-2. England still way behind the 8 ball and trailing by 165 runs.
Soon Yasir was to strike again and Vince chipped him to the safe hands of Misbah at cover for a duck. Big trouble for England now at 55-3.
Another big shout against Ballance when he was struck on the pads by Yasir. It was given not out but Pakistan reviewed. however the third umpire gave the decision as umpire’s call so balance survived.
Worse was to follow for England. Root was LBW to Yasir. He attempted to Review but the decision was upheld and England had now lost all their Reviews. The score was now 74-4.
By the close England had reached 88-4 which left them still trailing by 126 runs with 6 wickets remaining.
