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Rawalpindi, 25 October 2024: Saud Shakeel’s fourth Test century helped Pakistan take a 77-run lead over England on day two of the third Test as Pakistan finished the day on a strong note. At stumps, England were 24-3 in nine overs in their second innings, trailing by 53 runs in reply to Pakistan’s first-innings total of 344 all out at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Noman Ali snapped Zak Crawley (2, 12b) and Ollie Pope (1, 15b) late on day two while Ben Duckett (12, 15b, 2x4s) fell to Sajid Khan. Joe Root (5 not out, 7b) and Harry Brook (3 not out, 5b) will be on the crease for England at the start of day three.
Earlier, Pakistan managed to add 271 runs to their overnight total of 73-3 as they faced a total of 96.4 overs. Saud, who faced 223 balls for his 134 runs, initially stitched a 53-run partnership with Shan Masood (26, 70b) which was broken by Shoaib Bashir in the 36th over.
Mohammad Rizwan stayed on the crease for 46 balls scoring 25 runs with the help of one four and one six, putting on a 52-run stand with Saud before Rehan Ahmed pinned him leg before wicket.
Rehan delivered two more blows in the 52nd and 58th over to remove Salman Ali Agha and Aamir Jamal as Pakistan were reduced to 177-7 in 58 overs. Noman and Saud joined forces to knit a gritty 88-run eighth-wicket stand, stalling Pakistan’s batting slide. Saud brought up his century off 181 balls in the 79th over.
Noman contributed with a valuable 45 off 84 balls hitting two fours and a six as Shoaib put an end to the partnership in the 84th over. Sajid, who walked in to bat at No. 10, struck four sixes and two fours in his unbeaten run-a-ball 48, partnering with Saud for a brisk 72-run tenth-wicket stand.
Rehan registered figures of 4-66 while he was backed up by fellow spinner Shoaib, who snapped 3-129. Gus Atkinson accounted for two wickets while Jack Leach picked up one wicket.
Scores in brief:
Day 2 of 5 – England trail by 53 runs
England 267 all out, 68.2 overs (Jamie Smith 89, Ben Duckett 52, Gus Atkinson 39, Zak Crawley 29; Sajid Khan 6-128, Noman Ali 3-88, Zahid Mehmood 1-44) & 24-3, 9 overs (Ben Duckett 12; Noman Ali 2-9, Sajid Khan 1-14)
Pakistan 344 all out, 96.4 overs (Saud Shakeel 134, Sajid Khan 48 not out, Noman Ali 45, Shan Masood 26; Rehan Ahmed 4-66, Shoaib Bashir 3-129, Gus Atkinson 2-22)
