Third day’s play in England-Pakistan Test gets underway

Pakistan resume their first innings on day three of the third Test against England in Southampton on Sunday.

The Green Caps will continue their batting on their overnight score of 24-3 in reply to the hosts’ first innings total of 583-8 declared.

They trail by 559 runs and need another 360 to avoid follow-on.

Day Two

Pakistan were all at sea at close of the second day’s play in the third Test against England in Southampton.

The Green Caps were 24-3 at close of play in reply to England’s mammoth first innings total of 583-8 declared. The visitors trail by 559 runs and still need to score 360 runs in first innings to avoid follow on.

Skipper Azhar Ali is not out at four.

James Anderson was the star performer for the home team with the ball in hand after claimed wickets of Shan Masood, Abid Ali and Babar Azam.

The hosts declared their fist innings at the score of 583-8.

They added 93 runs to their total in the third session at the expense of three wickets. Buttler went on to score a brilliant 152 for the hosts which included 13 boundaries and two sixes.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fawad Alam and Yasir Shah finished with two wickets each.

Joe Root’s side were 490-5 at tea with Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes not out respectively at 140 and two.

Zak Crawley departed after playing a fine knock of 267 runs with the help of 34 boundaries and a six.

The Lions went for lunch at the score of 73-4 at lunch with Zak Crawley and Jos Buttler unbeaten at 186 and 113 respectively.

The duo have already put on a partnership of 246 runs for the fifth wicket and needed just nine more to record the highest fifth-wicket partnership for the Three Lions in the history of Test cricket.

Earlier, the morning session was interrupted twice due to rain.

Day One

England are in a commanding position in the third Test against Pakistan after stunning batting performances from Zak Crawley and Jos Buttler.

The Lions were 332-4 when stumps were drawn as the duo put on an unbeaten 205-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Crawley finished the day with an outstanding unbeaten 171 whereas Buttler continued his good form and is not out at 87.

For Pakistan, leg-spinner Yasir Shah was the pick of the bowlers as he claimed two wickets whereas young pacers Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi claimed a wicket each.

Earlier, England captain Joe Root won the toss and decided to bat first on Friday.

England are currently leading the series after securing a three-wicket victory in Manchester last week whereas the second Test ended in a draw after persistent rain and poor weather.

Pakistan cricket team are eager to produce a positive result as they look to preserve their 10-year unbeaten series streak in the five-day format against the Three Lions.