Rawalpindi, At the end of day one of the third Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan found themselves trailing by 194 runs in response to England’s total of 267. The hosts reached 73-3 in 23 overs at stumps, with Shan Masood (16*, 32b) and Saud Shakeel (16*, 34b, 1×4) holding the crease.
Sajid Khan led Pakistan’s bowling efforts, claiming his third five-wicket haul in Test cricket with figures of 6-128. Despite this, England’s innings was anchored by half-centuries from Jamie Smith (89 off 119, 5x4s, 6x6s) and Ben Duckett (52 off 84, 4x4s, 1×6), while Gus Atkinson made a crucial all-round contribution, scoring 39 runs and picking up a wicket.
England, having opted to bat, lost Zak Crawley (29, 43b, 3x4s) after a promising 56-run opening stand, with Noman Ali making the breakthrough for Pakistan in the 14th over. The middle order faltered under pressure from Pakistan’s spinners, losing five wickets in just over 13 overs, reducing them to 118-6. Notably, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and Harry Brook all failed to reach double figures.
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However, Jamie Smith, batting at No. 7, combined with Atkinson in a resilient 105-run partnership for the seventh wicket, steering England out of trouble. The stand was broken in the 60th over when Noman dismissed Atkinson, followed by Zahid Mehmood claiming Smith’s wicket, leaving him 11 runs short of a century.+
England’s innings wrapped up at 267, with Sajid taking the last two wickets. Noman Ali contributed with 3-88, and Zahid took 1-44 in 10 overs.
In Pakistan’s reply, the home side stumbled early as Abdullah Shafique was dismissed in the 10th over by Shoaib Bashir, ending a 35-run opening stand. Saim Ayub (19, 36b, 1×4) and Kamran Ghulam (3, 9b) were removed by Jack Leach and Gus Atkinson, respectively, leaving Pakistan at 46-3 in 13.4 overs.
Day 1 Summary: England 267 all out in 68.2 overs (Jamie Smith 89, Ben Duckett 52, Gus Atkinson 39, Zak Crawley 29; Sajid Khan 6-128, Noman Ali 3-88, Zahid Mehmood 1-44)
Pakistan 73-3 in 23 overs (Saim Ayub 19, Shan Masood 16*, Saud Shakeel 16*; Gus Atkinson 1-2, Shoaib Bashir 1-29, Jack Leach 1-33)
Pakistan trails by 194 runs.
