Batters keep Pakistan in the hunt in final England Test
A much-improved batting output from the visitors helped them set a target of 130 for the hosts.
Pakistan displayed their craft with the bat on day three of the third Test in Edgbaston as fifties from Azan Awais, Shan Masood, Babar Azam and Razaullah helped them set England a target of 130.
Pakistan returned to the crease on Day 3 at Edgbaston with an aim to shake off their previous two losses on the tour and make a statement in the final Test.
Play resumed in Pakistan’s second innings of the third Test, as they continued from being 52/2 and hoping to recover from a disastrous start, losing their first two wickets in the first four balls.
Masood and Awais led the efforts, continuing from the previous day, to add 73 more runs to Pakistan's total, and steadied the ship for their side, before Awais was dismissed just after reaching the half-century mark (59).
Masood built on Pakistan’s early momentum and powered on to reach 95 but fell shy of a century. His innings, that was laced with 12 boundaries, gave the visitors much-needed impetus.
Captain Babar Azam then stepped up to contribute a commendable 76, providing further quality and control to his side’s innings with helpful additions also from Mohammad Abbas (42) and Saud Shakeel (29).
Razaullah battled hard, adding crucial 81 runs that took Pakistan's lead beyond the 100-run mark. He posted the highest score by a debutant at No.9 or lower.
England’s bowling set-up struggled to follow up Ollie Robinson's fast start from the day before, which took out Pakistan’s first and third batter inside the first over.
Gus Atkinson found form later in the innings to finish with three wickets (3/109), leading the team, accompanied by efforts from Josh Tongue (2/106) and Dan Lawrence (2/17) as they attempted to slow what was by far Pakistan's best batting effort of the series.
Pakistan finished the day’s play at Edgbaston after being bowled out for 449 to set England a target of 130 runs.
With two days of cricket left, the hosts remain in the driver's seat but the visitors will take heart from their fightback on day three and aim to come out on the fourth day with the same spirit.