Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed continued his fairytale debut but England stretched their overall lead to 281 to put themselves in a commanding position in the second Test in Multan on Saturday.

Having claimed handy first innings lead of 79 in the low-scoring contest, England cemented their position by finishing Day II on 202/5 riding fifties by Ben Duckett and Harry Brook.

Abrar, who claimed seven wickets in the first innings, returned 3/81 in the second to prevent England from running away with the game.

Brook was batting on 74 when bad light stopped play with England captain Ben Stokes on 16 at the other end.

“We batted so well there, it’s great to watch,” England spinner Jack Leach told Sky Sports as he heaped praises on Brook and Duckett for how they dealt with spin.

“I know as a spinner how difficult it is when someone’s sweeping, and reverse-sweeping. They played really well.”

Earlier, England claimed Pakistan’s remaining eight wickets for 95 runs in an extended morning session after the hosts had resumed on 107/2. Ollie Robinson generated reverse swing to bowl Pakistan captain Babar Azam (75) through the gate. Leach then took over.

Brief scores: England 281 & 202/5 (Ben Duckett 79, Harry Brook 74 batting). Pak 202 (Babar Azam 75, Saud Shakeel 63; Jack Leach 4/98).

Australia on verge of win

Adelaide: Australia set West Indies a monumental victory target of 497 and then reduced them to 38/4 on Day III of the Day-Night second Test to be on the verge of a 2-0 series sweep on Saturday.

Having declared their first innings on 511/7 on Friday, Australia bundled out West Indies for 214 to claim a massive lead of 297.

The hosts then raced to 199/6 in 31 overs, effectively batting West Indies out of the contest, before declaring their second innings.

Scott Boland then struck three blows in his first over to rattle West Indies who are 459 runs behind staring at a huge defeat inside four days.

Both Devon Thomas and Jason Holder were batting on eight at stumps after a frenetic 85-over day when 349 runs were scored and 16 wickets tumbled at the Adelaide Oval.

After resuming on 102/4, West Indies were bowled out in the extended first session and it began with Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s (47) run out in the first over the of the day.

Starc had Holder caught behind for a four-bal duck.

Brief scores: Australia 511/7d & 199/6 decl. WI 214 & 38/4 (Scott Boland 3/9).