RAWALPINDI : The first Test between Pakistan and England was in its fourth day on Sunday in Rawalpindi, with England leading 499-7 despite centuries from the top order.
Despite centuries from Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, and Babar Azam, England managed to pick up wickets and felt like they had a big lead.
With three wickets in hand, Pakistan still trails England’s massive 657 first innings total by 158 runs as Agha Salman (10) and Zahid Mahmood (1) remain at the crease.
Imam-ul-Haq (121), Abdullah Shafique (120), and captain Babar Azam (136) all scored hundreds for Pakistan on Saturday (114). However, England got four wickets before the end of the session after taking three in the first session and none in the second.
The early victories were split between the fast bowlers James Anderson and Ollie Robinson, who each claimed a wicket, and the spinners Will Jacks (three for 132) and Jack Leach (two for 160).
Babar Azam, the national captain, dominated Saturday’s last session, scoring his first Test century against England with 19 boundaries and a six. His seventh Test century, which came off 126 balls and featured 13 boundaries, was blasted towards cover off the opposing captain, Ben Stokes.
Jacks forced a poor drive from Babar that led to him being caught at point, while Anderson’s subsequent over featured Mohammad Rizwan playing directly into the palms of the midwicket fielder.
Soon after the tea break, rookie Saud Shakeel, who had added 123 runs for the fourth wicket with Babar, was caught behind off Robinson.
After reaching three figures against Australia in March of this year, both teams now have three test centuries and consecutive hundreds at the location.