Pakistan will resume their first innings at 73 for three on the second day of the third and final Test in Rawalpindi, aiming to chase down England’s total of 267. The match is being broadcast live on PTV Sports HD.
After winning the toss, England batted first and were bowled out for 267 on a dry, spin-friendly pitch where 13 wickets fell on day one, nearly all taken by spinners. Pakistan handed the new ball to spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, who bowled for 42 consecutive overs. This rare move marks only the fourth time in Test history that two spinners have taken the new ball from the first over, and the first instance for Pakistan.
England’s openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, started confidently, quickly reaching 56. However, Pakistan struck back, with Crawley, Ollie Pope, and Joe Root falling within 24 runs, leaving England at 118 for six. Ben Duckett scored 52, Harry Brook added 5, and Ben Stokes managed 12.
England’s recovery came through wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who scored an aggressive 89, smashing six sixes and five fours. Gus Atkinson contributed 39, while Jack Leach added 16. Sajid Khan led Pakistan’s attack with six wickets, while Noman Ali claimed three.
In response, Pakistan ended day one at 73 for three. England’s spinners also proved effective, as Shoaib Bashir removed Abdullah Shafique for 14, and Jack Leach dismissed Saim Ayub for 19. Gus Atkinson, the only pacer to succeed on the first day, dismissed Kamran Ghulam for three.
As stumps were drawn, Captain Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel remained unbeaten at 16 runs each. Pakistan trails by 194, with the match finely poised heading into day two.
