Imam-ul Haq and Saud Shakeel struck defiant half-centuries to keep Pakistan in the hunt in the second Test at the Multan Cricket Stadium, which seems poised for a close finish.
At stumps on Day III, Pakistan were 198 for 4 with Shakeel batting on 54 and Faheem Ashraf on three.
Pakistan dominated the morning session when they bowled England out for 275 in their second innings, but their 355-run target meant they needed to pull off a record chase on home soil to level the series.
They seemed up for the task too, but England’s seamers conjured up three magical deliveries after the lunch break on Sunday to wrest back the initiative.
The see-saw contest changed its complexion in the final session once again following a 108-run fourth-wicket partnership between Imam, who fell just before the close for 60, and Shakeel.
“We are still in a very good position. A few more wickets would have been great, but we are happy where we are,” England assistant coach Marcus Trescothick said.
“We have six wickets to take. We have seen most wickets fall in the first session, so we hope that continues.”
Earlier, England added only 73 to their overnight second innings total of 202 for 5 on Sunday.
Captain Ben Stokes (41)needed 43 balls to score his first boundary and was the first to fall, holing out in the deep to trigger a collapse.
Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed picked up his 11th wicket in his debut Test by bowling Ollie Robinson through the gates.
Overnight batsman HarryBrook (108) reached his second hundred of the series before leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood(3/52) polished off the English tail.
Pakistan then had to rejig their opening pair following a hamstring niggle to Imam. They promoted wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, who hit a flurry of boundaries early on to put the pressure back on England before James Andersoncleaned him up with a peach of a delivery.
Brief scores: England 281 & 275 (H. Brook 108; A. Ahmed 4/120). Pakistan 202 & 198/4 (I. Haq 60, S. Shakeel 54 batting; J. Anderson 1/8). At stumps, Day 3.
Written with Reuters inputs
