Saud Shakeel anchors Pakistan's innings with 107* at tea break
Cricket
Saud Shakeel was batting on 107 while Noman Ali was dismissed for 45 runs
RAWALPINDI (Dunya News/Reuters) – Saud Shakeel hit a century to anchor Pakistan's first innings as the hosts levelled England's 267 but losing eight wickets on the second day in the third and series-deciding third Test here on Friday.
Saud was batting at 107 at the tea break, sharing a 78-run stand for eight wicket with Noman Ali who was dismissed for 45.
Earlier, leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed grabbed three wickets to cut through Pakistan's middle order on Friday as the hosts were reduced to 187-7 at lunch in reply to England's first innings 267.
Saud Shakeel, batting on 72, forged 50-plus partnerships with Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan to keep Pakistan going but Rehan's 3-25 helped England nose ahead in the spinner-dominated contest.
Noman Ali was batting on six with Pakistan still 80 behind.
England captain Ben Stokes began the day with spin from both ends and Saud got a life on 26 when he edged Shoaib Bashir low into the shin of wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.
Lanky off-spinner Bashir would not be denied, however, and removed Pakistan captain Shan for 26, caught in the second slip.
Rehan was brought in somewhat late but did not take long to make his mark, trapping Rizwan lbw for 25. Rizwan burned a review on his way back to the pavilion trying to get the decision reversed.
In his next over, Rehan removed Salman Agha in the same fashion and went on to fox Aamer Jamal with a googly, which the batter could only glove to his stumps.
Earlier, skipper Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel, both on 16, resume their first innings.
Shan was the first to depart for 26 runs. Wicket-keeper batsman Muhammad Rizwan contributed 25 and Aamer Jamal 14.
The series is level at 1-1.
