PAK vs ENG 1st Test , Day 3 Highlights: England in command as Pakistan trails by 158 runs

PAK vs ENG 1st Test, Day 3: Pakistan is hosting England for a historic three-match test series but it seems like the visitors are having an edge over the hosts. England displayed an unbelievable show with the bat in the first innings and posted a mammoth total of 657 runs. On the other hand, Pakistan started off their first innings on a decent note as their top batting order put Pakistan in the position of chasing a huge target. However, their middle order failed to deliver again and gave England a narrow advantage at the end of Day 3. Pakistan ends Day 3 at 499-7, trailing England by 158 runs.

Shafique-Haq’s 225-run stand kept Pakistan alive in Mammoth Chase

Starting Day 3 on 181/0, opening batsmen Abdullah Shafique (114) and Imam-ul-Haq had already done their job by registering gleaming centuries. The two continued to thrash the English paceman and recorded a stunning 225-run partnership for the first wicket. Azhar Ali came in next but failed to make an impression as he was dismissed for 27.

Skipper Babar Azam then came in to the rescue as the top order had steeped Pakistan to 290/3. Azam portrayed a stellar character and played a decisive knock of 136 runs to help his side edge past the 400-run mark. With this century, Azam also became the batsman to hit the most number of centuries (7) in 2022. Azam registered a convincing 123-run stand alongside Saud Shakeel (37) for the fourth wicket.

Azam’s stellar 136-run knock acted as a savior after the mid-order collapse

Azam was dismissed on 136 after he posted another 60-run stand for the fifth wicket alongside his limited-overs opening partner Mohammed Rizwan (29).

However, Rizwan failed to play down the order and was dismissed soon after the skipper’s dismissal for 475. Pakistan continued to lose wickets in quick succession as Naseem Shah (15) succumbed to Will Jacks at 497.

In the end, Pakistan ended the day at 499/7 and is trailing by another 158 runs. Agha Salman (10) and Zaheed Mahmood (1) remained unbeaten and will take the crease at the start of Day 4.

With four wickets falling in quick succession, England got hold of the PAK vs ENG 1st Test after a sluggish start on Day 3. England’s bowling attack is led by debutant Will Jacks who has so far scalped 3 wickets for 132 runs. Jack Leach has grabbed 2 wickets for 160 runs whereas James Anderson (1/47) and Ollie Robinson (1/64) have chipped in a wicket apiece.