England versus Pakistan Test Series, 2024

3rd Test

Day-2 Afternoon Session Highlights:

Saud Shakeel’s century has powered the Pakistan team to fightback against England

At The Tea of Day-2:

England scored 267 (1st Innings) vs Pakistan 267/8 (1st Innings).

Saud Shakeel’s unbeaten fourth Test century (107*) and his crucial 88-run partnership with Noman Ali (45) helped Pakistan draw level with England in Rawalpindi after Lunch on Day 2.

England opened the session with Shoaib Bashir, as they had in the morning, but this time the Pakistani batters were more settled against the off spinner.

There were hints that the pitch was starting to deteriorate, with a delivery from Gus Atkinson passing Noman at knee height.

Noman was later given out LBW to Bashir, but a successful DRS review revealed a thick inside edge, saving him.

Although boundaries were scarce, the batters focused heavily on rotating the strike, running hard between the wickets to ensure they collected three to five runs per over.

With England unable to make a breakthrough, they took a poor review after Noman attempted a sweep from well outside the stumps.

Noman then broke the boundary drought with a six over long-on, the first in 10 overs.

As Noman began to find the gaps more frequently, Shakeel remained composed, inching into the nineties and relying on singles and twos to reach his fourth Test hundred.

It was a gritty, patient century that underscored the importance of strike rotation.

Just before, Ben Stokes missed a difficult catch off Noman at slip.

Even after England took the second new ball, the batters resisted, frustrating the bowlers.

However, on the stroke of Tea, Bashir trapped Noman LBW, ending his resilient knock of 45.

Earlier in the day, England dominated the first session, reducing Pakistan to 187 for 7 by Lunch, with Rehan Ahmed’s three-wicket burst putting the hosts in serious trouble.