Rawalpindi (Web Desk): At the conclusion of day one of the third Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Pakistan found themselves 194 runs behind England, who were bowled out for 267.
Sajid Khan was the highlight of Pakistan's bowling attack, securing his third Test five-wicket haul.
England's innings featured significant contributions from Jamie Smith, who scored 89 off 119 balls with five fours and six sixes, and Ben Duckett, who added 52 runs from 84 balls, including four boundaries and one six. Gus Atkinson also played a crucial role with both bat and ball, contributing 39 runs.
At stumps, Pakistan had reached 73 for 3 after 23 overs, with Shan Masood (16 not out) and Saud Shakeel (16 not out) at the crease.
The day began poorly for Pakistan when Shoaib Bashir dismissed Abdullah Shafique in the 10th over, breaking the opening partnership at 35 runs. Saim Ayub and Kamran Ghulam fell soon after, leaving the team reeling at 46 for 3.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, England's innings got off to a decent start until Noman Ali dismissed Zak Crawley (29) in the 14th over, ending a promising opening stand of 56 runs.
The middle order faltered against Pakistan's spin bowlers, losing five wickets for just 13 runs and tumbling to 118 for 6, with Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and Harry Brook all dismissed cheaply.
Smith, coming in at number seven, stabilized the innings with Atkinson, putting together a solid 105-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Noman broke this partnership in the 60th over, and just three overs later, Smith was caught for 89 off Zahid Mahmood’s bowling.
Sajid Khan wrapped up England's innings with outstanding figures of 6 for 128 in 29.2 overs, taking the final two wickets. Noman Ali also excelled, finishing with 3 for 88, while Zahid Mahmood claimed one wicket for 44 runs in his 10 overs.
Playing XIs
Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (C), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel (VC), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Zahid Mehmood.
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Rehan Ahmed, Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir.