Jamie Smith’s magnificent 89 and a trio of late wickets gave England the lead on the thrilling first day of the crucial third Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.

Jamie Smith’s magnificent 89 and a trio of late wickets gave England the lead on the thrilling first day of the crucial third Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
Smith dragged England to 267 and then Pakistan’s order collapsed to 73-3 to put the tourists in a good position to claim a second successive win at the venue.
On a pitch that Pakistan had dried out with giant fans and garden heaters, the hosts’ plan was partially vindicated thanks to sloppy English batting as the visitors claimed a crucial draw.
Only Ben Duckett, on 52, was not to blame for his dismissal as England went from 56-0 to 118-6 before Smith’s impressive save.
The wicketkeeper added 105 with Gus Atkinson, who made 39, with Smith accelerating to 50. He smashed six sixes and was very cavalier in the hunt for a seventh to escape before you.
England were dismissed earlier in the evening, with spinner Sajid Khan claiming 6-128 to go with his nine-wicket haul in Pakistan’s win in the second Test.
Pakistan used spin exclusively for 68.2 overs, the longest first innings in Test history without any seam bowling.
England’s total never looked the same before Shoaib Bashir, Jack Leach and Atkinson each claimed a run to dismiss Pakistan for 194.