ENG vs PAK: 1st Test – Talking points from third day’s play

The first Test between England and Pakistan at Old Trafford, Manchester took an interesting turn on the third day. England were lagging behind after the first two days and struggled on the third day until making a spectacular comeback with the ball. Pakistan after clinching a 107-run lead, lost quick wickets in their second innings. At the end of the day, they finished with 137/8 with their bowlers Yasir Shah and Mohammad Abbas at the crease. Pakistan currently lead by 244 runs and have only two wickets remaining.

England stumble after a patient start

The hosts began their rebuilding process from a precarious situation of 92/4. In the first hour of the day, Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Abbas began in a sterling fashion. They bowled their hearts out, however, Jos Buttler and Ollie Pope remained resolute at the crease. Just when they thought they were out of danger, youngster Naseem Shah struck with a sharp delivery. He removed Pope who played England’s best knock, 62 runs.

Pope’s dismissal allowed Pakistan an entry back in the game. Spinners Yasir Shah and Shadab Khan then picked the remaining wickets but not before the tail had made a significant contribution. England’s last five wickets added 98 runs and the lead for visitors eventually whittled down to 107.

Anderson is trapped in front by Shadab and England are 219 all out ☝️

Pakistan secure a 107-run first-innings lead ?? #ENGvPAK SCORECARD ▶️ https://t.co/4SeqcHHxsQ pic.twitter.com/YbMLhFA35r

— ICC (@ICC) August 7, 2020

Pakistan lose track

With a significant lead in their hands, Pakistan needed to score around 250 in their second dig to get into a winning position. However, all such expectations quickly disappeared as English bowlers started working their magic. Stuart Broad sent back the first-innings centurion, Shan Masood, for a duck. Dom Bess sent back Abid Ali while Chris Woakes picked up the key wickets of Babar Azam and Azhar Ali. Ben Stokes, who did not bowl in the West Indies Test because of an injury, bowled an inspired spell to take two quick wickets off bouncers. Pakistan will need to add a few more runs on the fourth morning to give a good enough target for their bowlers to defend.

A piece of magic @DomSibley! ?

Scorecard/Clips: https://t.co/q1IXtTZFvR#ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/1L5YPTcNFh

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 7, 2020