England leg spinner Rehan Ahmed picked five wickets on his Test debut to put the team on course for a comfortable victory in the third and final Test against Pakistan in Karachi on Monday.

With two days of play remaining, England need 55 runs to win the Test and become the first test team to complete a 3-0 whitewash in Pakistan, having won the first two Tests in Rawalpindi and Multan.

Ahmed’s spin bowling proved to be the game-changer for Ben Stokes’ team as wickets tumbled in clusters at the National Stadium.

The 18-year-old became the youngest debutant in men’s Test history to take a five-for, beating the record held by Australia’s Pat Cummins.

After scoring 304 in the first innings, Pakistan were bowled out for 216 in the second, setting England a target of 167. The visitors struck 354 in their first innings.

Zak Crawley (41) and Ben Duckett (50 batting) made a flying start for England in their chase and the visitors will begin day four at 112/2, with Stokes (10) also at the crease.

Earlier, spinner Jack Leach took three top-order wickets in six balls in the morning session before Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel struck a 110-run partnership to keep Pakistan in the contest.

But Stokes then introduced Ahmed in the afternoon session and the youngster ripped apart Pakistan’s middle order.

Half-centuries by Babar and Saud added some life to Pakistan’s fight, but Ahmed derailed their revival with vital wickets.

Joe Root and Mark Wood took the other two wickets.

Kane, coach to miss India tour

Wellington: New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson and head coach Gary Stead will miss the white-ball tour of India, starting next month, as part of their workload management.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) have named split ODI squads for the away series against Pakistan, which begins on January 10, and India, scheduled to start on January 18.

Newly-appointed Test captain Tim Southee will also return home after the Pakistan tour to prepare for the home Test series against England in February.

In Wiliamson and Stead’s absence, Tom Latham will lead the Kiwis while batting coach Luke Ronchi will serve as the head coach in the three-match ODI series against India.

Ronchi will also be in charge as the head coach for the T20 series in India, the squad for which will be announced on January 9.

PTI