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Pakistan Faces Early Setbacks, Trails England on Day 1

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Pakistan found themselves trailing by 194 runs at the close of day one of the third Test against England, held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Despite England’s middle-order collapse, led by Pakistan’s spinners, a defiant 105-run partnership between Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson kept the visitors in contention with a total of 267. Sajid Khan was the standout performer for Pakistan, taking six wickets to restrict England after a promising start.

Sajid Khan’s Six-Wicket Haul: Leading Pakistan’s Bowling from the Front

Sajid Khan’s relentless bowling brought England’s innings to a halt. His six-wicket haul (6-128) was his third five-wicket performance in Test cricket, demonstrating his growing maturity and reliability as a key figure in Pakistan’s bowling lineup. Sajid’s ability to break partnerships at crucial moments proved invaluable, especially after England’s top order crumbled to spin. Noman Ali also chipped in with three wickets (3-88), keeping the pressure on the visitors throughout the innings.

England’s Collapse and Smith’s Resilience

England, having won the toss and elected to bat, started confidently with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett putting together a 56-run opening stand. However, Noman Ali removed Crawley (29) in the 14th over, sparking a middle-order collapse that saw England lose five wickets for just 62 runs. The likes of Joe Root and Harry Brook fell cheaply to Pakistan’s spin attack, leaving England in trouble at 118-6.

Jamie Smith (89) and Gus Atkinson (39) then came together for a crucial 105-run partnership, rescuing England from total disaster. Smith’s attacking knock, featuring five boundaries and six sixes, gave England’s innings some much-needed stability. He played with authority, taking on the spinners and guiding his side past the 200-run mark. Atkinson’s contribution with both bat and ball (1-2 in Pakistan’s innings) further highlighted his all-round abilities, but it was Sajid Khan who finally broke the stand, trapping Smith 11 runs short of a century.

Pakistan’s Response: A Steady Start Amid Early Setbacks

In reply, Pakistan found themselves in early trouble, losing three wickets for just 46 runs. Shoaib Bashir drew first blood for England, trapping Abdullah Shafique lbw for 14, ending a steady 35-run opening partnership. Saim Ayub (19) and Kamran Ghulam (3) soon followed, leaving Pakistan reeling at 46-3.

However, Shan Masood (16 not out) and Saud Shakeel (16 not out) steadied the innings, taking Pakistan to 73-3 at stumps. The duo played cautiously, recognizing the importance of building a solid foundation for the next day’s play. With Pakistan trailing by 194 runs, much will depend on how the middle and lower order perform on day two.

Key Performances:

  • Sajid Khan: His 6-128 was the backbone of Pakistan’s bowling attack, helping to restrict England to a manageable total despite a solid recovery by Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson.
  • Jamie Smith: Smith’s resilient 89, featuring a combination of aggressive and cautious strokes, was a highlight of the day. His partnership with Atkinson saved England from a precarious position.
  • Gus Atkinson: Atkinson’s 39 runs and a wicket in Pakistan’s innings proved him to be a valuable asset for England in this match, excelling with both bat and ball.
  • Noman Ali: Noman’s ability to take crucial wickets (3-88) at key moments added pressure on England, particularly by removing opener Zak Crawley and later breaking the dangerous seventh-wicket stand.

Looking Ahead:

Pakistan will need to dig deep into their batting reserves to overturn the 194-run deficit. With Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel still at the crease, their partnership will be vital in setting up the rest of the innings. England, on the other hand, will be looking to capitalize on the early inroads made by their bowlers, hoping to wrap up Pakistan’s innings quickly.

Analysis and Tactical Insight:

This Test match is shaping up to be a classic example of subcontinental spin domination. Pakistan’s reliance on Sajid Khan and Noman Ali has paid dividends, and the challenge for England lies in countering the turn and bounce offered by the Rawalpindi pitch. Jamie Smith’s aggressive approach may serve as a blueprint for England’s remaining batsmen in the second innings. For Pakistan, the key will be a measured batting approach—limiting risky shots while capitalizing on loose deliveries from England’s bowlers.

The second day’s play will likely determine the course of the Test. Pakistan’s middle order, particularly players like Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman, must step up to give their team a fighting chance. England’s bowlers, led by Atkinson and Leach, will be aiming for quick wickets to put pressure on the hosts.

Day one of the third Test between Pakistan and England has set up a fascinating contest. With Sajid Khan’s superb bowling performance and Jamie Smith’s valiant effort with the bat, both teams have shown glimpses of brilliance. However, Pakistan’s early batting setbacks have tilted the balance slightly in England’s favor. The outcome of day two will be crucial in determining which team takes control of the match, with Pakistan needing a strong batting display to avoid a significant first-innings deficit.

As the Rawalpindi crowd waits in anticipation, fans from both sides can expect an intense battle on the second day of this evenly poised Test match.

Scores in Brief:

  • England 267 all out (Jamie Smith 89, Ben Duckett 52, Gus Atkinson 39; Sajid Khan 6-128, Noman Ali 3-88)
  • Pakistan 73-3 (Shan Masood 16*, Saud Shakeel 16*; Gus Atkinson 1-2, Jack Leach 1-33)
Waseem Shahzad Qadri
Waseem Shahzad Qadrihttp://wasimqadriblog.wordpress.com/
Islamabad based Senior Journalist, TV Show Host, Media Trainer, can be follow on twitter @jaranwaliya

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