Gul averts Pakistan follow-on

Pakistan tail-ender Umar Gul produced a stunning display of power-hitting to ensure his team got past the follow-on mark on day three of the Test against England at Trent Bridge.

Resuming on 147-9, the tourists needed another eight runs to make England bat again.

Gul immediately eased the batting team's fears when he struck James Anderson's first ball of the day to the boundary.

That four was just the prelude to a vicious assault on England's other opening bowler, Steven Finn.

The tall pace bowler enjoyed a fine start to the Pakistan innings, entering the third morning with figures of 3-20.

Gul proceeded to hammer Finn for three fours ? the first of which averted the follow-on ? and a six in the space of five balls.

The last of those boundaries brought up Gul's maiden Test half-century as Pakistan continued their recovery from 47-6.

Finn's mauling showed no signs of abating in his next over when Gul pulled two successive sixes off the hapless bowler.

Last man Mohammad Asif was run out by Eoin Morgan in the same over as he attempted to keep his senior partner on-strike off the last delivery.

Asif's contribution in the 35-run last-wicket stand was precisely 0 but his resolution proved crucial.

England thus missed the chance to make Pakistan bat again under heavy cloud cover in Nottingham.