MULTAN (Dunya News) – England need 261 runs to win the second Test against Pakistan at Multan Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
In pursuit of 291-run target, the visitors have made 36 and lost two key wickets on day three of the match. Zak Crawley was removed for 3 while Ben Duckett went for duck as spinners served blows to England in their second innings.
Earlier, Pakistan made 221 runs in second innings, setting 297 runs target for England.
Shan Masood-led side started their second innings after the visitors were bowled out for 291 earlier in the day in pursuit of Pakistan’s 366.
Salman Ali Aghan played a fine innings of 63, being involved in a 65-run partnership for the ninth wicket. He played a key role in extending the Pakistan’s lead to 296.
Opener Abdullah Shafiqu remain unimpressive with the bat as he was dismissed by Shoaib Bashir for four runs. Saim Ayub made 22 while Kamran Ghulam removed for 26. Sajid Khan made 22 runs.
It was the 10th time in 14 innings that Abdullah Shafique got out in single figure scores. He got out on 4 in the second innings, followed by Shan Masood 11, and Saim Ayub 22.
A magical spinning spell by Sajid Khan put Pakistan in command as England was folded to 291.
Sajid Khan starred with seven wickets while Noman Ali claimed three wickets.
Pakistan secured a lead of 75 runs as they started their second innings.
For England Ben Duckett scored 114, Joe Root 34, Ollie Pope 29, Zak Crawly 27, Jamie Smith 21, Harry Brook 9, Shoaib Bashir 9, Matthew Potts 6, Brydon Carse 4, and Ben Stokes scored one run. Jack Leach remained not out on 25.
The visitors took a brisk start after bowling out Pakistan for 336 in their first innings however Noman Ali interrupted and broke apart the opening pair by removing Zak Crawly for 27.
Later, Sajid Khan removed Ollie Pope for 29, Joe Root for 34 and Harry Brook for nine in back-to-back blows to England.
He got a major breakthrough when he dismissed Ben Duckett for 114 as he was making efforts to lift his side from pressure.
Noman Ali took his second scalp by sending Ben Stokes back to pavilion for one run only. Jamie Smith (12) and Brydon Carse would resume the third day game at 239-6.
Earlier, Pakistan made 366 runs in the first innings of the second Test against England courtesy century by debutant Kamran Ghulam. Saim Ayub scored 77, Mohammad Rizwan 41, Aamir Jamal 37, Nouman Ali 32, and Salman Agha added 31 runs.
Abdullah Shafique 7, Shan Masood 3, Saud Shakeel 4, and Sajid Khan got out on 2 runs. Zahid Mehmood remained not out on 2 runs.
For England Jack leach was the highest wicket-taker as he grabbed 4, Brydon Carse 3, Matthew Potts and 2 while Shoaib Bashir claimed one wicket.
Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse removed Salman Agha 31, Mohammad Rizwan 41 respectively, in the first hour of the 2nd day's play in the second Test in Multan. Jack Leach got the wicket of Sajid Khan.
Aamir Jamal and Nauman Ali helped Pakistan continue to flow runs after losing three wickets in quick succession.
Kamran Ghulam made a splendid 118 to help Pakistan to 259-5 on first day of the second Test against England at Multan Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.
Pakistan suffered early blows when opener Abdullah Shafique was dismissed for 7, Shan Masood for three and Saud Shakeel for four runs.
However, Saim Ayub and Kamran Ghulam stitched the much-needed partnership of 149 runs, helping their side to recover from early pressure. England managed to break apart the partnership when Saim was caught out for 77.
Ghulam, who was added to the national playing XI as Babar Azam’s replacement, maintained the momentum and completed his debut century. He also shared 65-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan before he was sent packing by Shoaib Bashir.
Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat in the second Test against England. The visitors lead the three-match series 1-0 after crushing Pakistan by an innings and 47 runs.