PAK vs ENG 2024/25, Pakistan vs England Third Test, Day 3, Rawalpindi Match Report, October 24-26, 2024

Shakeel’s remarkable 134 off 223 deliveries, his fourth in Tests, dragged Pakistan to 344, with a vital lead of 77 in the first innings. That was finally achieved thanks to vital lower-order assistance from Noman Ali (45) and Sajid Khan (48 no). out) in stands of 88 and 72 before resuming their lead roles to trample England’s top order once again, leaving them 24 for 3 at the close.

Shakeel, which resumed overnight on the 16th, brought substance and old-world style. There were only five boundaries during his vigil, the fourth of them a firm sweep in front of the squad that took him to 50 off 92 deliveries. His fifth and final came 108 balls later. It was fitting that he had the honor of taking Pakistan to 267, nullifying England’s initial effort, with a comfortable single bowled down the ground off the penultimate ball before tea.

England had entered lunch on the upswing, using an extended opening session to reduce Pakistan to 187 for 7, with Rehan taking three of the four wickets to fall after the resumption at 73 for 3. That included trapping Rizwan leg and Salman Agha earlier in the space of nine deliveries, before bowling Aamer Jamal through a drag of a googly.

Shakeel could bat all morning but could have been dismissed on 26 when Bashir, who dismissed Shan Masood, found an edge to Jamie Smith, who failed to claim a low catch. The ball ended up bouncing off the goalkeeper’s left shin, reflecting the difficulty of the occasion due to the lack of rebound.

Still 80 behind after lunch, Shakeel and the very capable Noman set out to level England’s first innings. The latter was the main aggressor, hitting Rehan for six overs as the 20-year-old struggled to find the full length that had come so easily in an excellent spell of eight overs before the first break.

Perhaps because there were two left-handers, Ben Stokes decided not to keep the leg-spinner during the start of the session. When he reintroduced Rehan, it was from the Middle instead of the Pavilion End, where he had bowled his previous nine overs.

The captain’s frustration was compounded when Joe Root, called upon to bowl the 78th over, got his first delivery to spit from the rough wicket and take the shoulder of Noman’s bat when the left-hander was on 35. Stokes, fielding close at first. He slipped, put his fingertips on the ball and launched himself to his left. Noman had earlier corrected an LBW dismissal when he was on 10, and DRS confirmed an inside edge. It was the third decision that umpire Sharfuddoula overturned in this innings.

In the next over, Shakeel hit another comfortable single down the leg side to make his first hundred against England, and his second at this venue. The celebrations of his batting partner and teammates in the home dressing room were much livelier than his own, keenly aware that there was much work to be done.

Bashir ended Noman’s stay, getting the second new ball to slide onto the pads of No. 9. But he found himself on the receiving end of Sajid’s acceleration at the start of the afternoon session, while Shakeel was more than happy to hit him. the blow to the mustachioed whirlwind. Even the blow that Sajid received on the chin that spilled blood on his shirt came from his sword, while trying to lift Rehan on his shoulder.

Shakeel’s stay was eventually limited to five hours and eight minutes, failing to bowl or defend Gus Atkinson’s short delivery to runner-up Matthew Potts at midwicket. The fact that Atkinson was not used earlier was another blight on Stokes’ captaincy after lunch, and it was strange that he did not resort to his own seam when Pakistan’s lower order was having its way with the spin.

As the innings came to an end with Rehan’s excellent knock on Mahmood’s stumps, a sunset at 5.20pm suggested there was little for England. But it was still enough time for a cascade of three wickets in 28 deliveries for just five runs.

Ben Duckett, the most proactive player against spin, was caught LBW on the back leg by Sajid, a decision the official needed a DRS review to achieve. An arm ball from Noman then trapped Crawley, the fourth time the left-armer had bagged the opener in as many innings, before Ollie Pope ended a dismal low-handed series by offering a catch to slip, through a deflection of Rizwan’s gloves, for Noman. second of the entry.

The deficit is 53 and there are hopes for England that Root and Harry Brook can make amends on day three. It was these two who combined for 454 in the first Test in Multan. But as everyone involved in Pakistan cricket will tell you, a lot can change in two weeks.