England’s second Test against Pakistan hangs in the balance as the tourists closed on 36-2 chasing a 297 victory target after an enthralling third day in Multan.
Ben Duckett, who scored a century in the first innings, was removed for a duck by Sajid Khan (1-27) and fellow opener Zak Crawley (3) was stumped off Noman Ali (1-9), before Ollie Pope (21no) and Joe Root (8no) saw England through to the end of play.
England require another 261 runs on day four to take a 2-0 lead in the three-Test series while Pakistan require eight wickets to level proceedings.
The Multan wicket offered spinners plenty with Jack Leach (3-67) and Shoaib Bashir (4-66) claiming seven wickets between them as Pakistan were 221 all out in their second innings.
England were frustrated by Salman Ali Agha’s (63) half-century, made even more painful by the fact that he was dropped twice in the 52nd over on four and six.
In the morning session, a rampant Sajid (7-111) mopped up England’s tail despite a defiant 29-run stand between Leach and Bashir, the tourists adding 59 runs to their overnight score of 239-6.
More to follow…
First Test: Multan – October 7-11 – England won by an innings and 47 runs
Second Test: Multan – October 15-19
Third Test: Rawalpindi – October 24-28
Watch day four of the second Test between Pakistan and England in Multan, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event from 5.50am on Thursday, ahead of play starting from 6am. Stream with NOW