Salman Agha delivered his third 50-plus score of the series, supported by a lower-order fightback, as Pakistan set England a challenging target of 297 runs in the second Test in Multan after losing three early wickets to Shoaib Bashir.

Salma capitalised after being dropped twice on 4 and 6. Earlier, Sajid, continuing his second day’s momentum, wrapped up his spell with 7 wickets in bag.

Pakistan’s top order continued to struggle, with Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub once again failing to form a solid opening partnership, getting dismissed for 9. This marked the ninth time in ten innings that the pair had failed to reach double figures together. Shan Masood’s didn’t last long either, falling to a sharp catch by Ollie Pope. Saud Shakeel provided stability, leading Pakistan through the afternoon with two 30-plus partnerships alongside Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Rizwan.

Pakistan’s innings ended with Sajid Khan’s dismissal, leaving England with a stiff chase of 297. Sajid immediately struck again in the first over of England’s second innings, removing Ben Duckett for a duck. Later, Noman Ali followed up with a brilliant stumping from Mohammad Rizwan to dismiss Zak Crawley in the fourth over.

Brief Scores:

Pakistan: 221 (Salman Ali Agha 63, Saud Shakeel 31; Jack Leach 3-67, Shoaib Bashir 4-66)

England: 36/2 (Ollie Pope 21*, Joe Root 12*; Sajid Khan 1-27, Noman Ali 1-9)

 

England need 261 runs to win