ENG VS PAK 3rd Test: The third and final test of the series between Pakistan and England is on! After winning the toss, Pakistan elected to bat first. The hosts scored 304 in the first innings in 79 overs of Day 1. They could not bat for the whole day. England came to bat 15 minutes prior to the day’s end. The team has scored 7 runs for 1 wicket. The visitors trail by 297 runs.
ENG VS PAK 3rd Test: Pakistan Bowled Out for 304 on Day 1
On the opening day of the dead-rubber third Test in Karachi, Pakistan’s batsmen planted the seeds of their own doom. England bowled them out for 304 on a dry, benign National Stadium field after being requested to bowl first.
Salman Ali Agha and Babar Azam both scored half a century, but Pakistan wasted three wickets. Before tea, Mohammad Rizwan was the first to blame, throwing Joe Root to deep midwicket. In the evening session, left-arm spinner Nauman Ali top-edged a slog-sweep to mid-off. Babar was run out trying to scurry through for a single. Salman, the final recognized hitter, was stumped while racing down the pitch to Jack Leach.
Rehan Ahmed also made history by being the only other England leg spinner, after Ian Salisbury, to take two wickets in his maiden Test match.
ENG VS PAK 3rd Test: England Comes to Bat After Bowling Pakistan Out for 304
Pakistan was knocked out for 304 as Leach cleaned up the tail to end with 4 for 140. The field looks lifeless. England was undoubtedly the happier team overnight even after losing Zak Crawley for a duck. The only balls that misbehaved were ones that died from short of a length, just enough for their spinners to hint that batting last would prove to be difficult.
ENG VS PAK 3rd Test: Analysis
Babar Azam’s departure must be regretted by Pakistan. He was in fantastic shape and had Agha Salman’s full backing. However, the latter made a mistake that resulted in the run-out, which ultimately produced a kind of collapse in which Pakistan lost focus and was bowled out in 79 overs. There are undoubtedly more first inning runs on the surface than what the hosts scored.
After putting together a 71-run partnership with Azhar Ali for the third wicket, Babar Azam appeared to be in for the long haul. However, his unfortunate run-out derailed Pakistan’s intentions. If it weren’t for Agha Salman’s fifty, their batting lineup would have looked considerably worse. After getting the game’s opening wicket, Leach didn’t have much luck, but he cleaned out the tail in only five overs and concluded with a well-earned four-for.
With just 14 minutes left till the end of play, England’s opener Crawley was caught completely in front in Abrar Ahmed’s very first over. If this is any sign of what is to come, we are in for an exciting second day of play that looks to be a battle between spin and smash.
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