Late burst gives England a sniff after Babar ton

RAWALPINDI: With their attacking approach, England took four wickets in the final session and reduced Pakistan to 499 for 7 at the end of day three of the first Test to keep their faint hopes of victory alive, here on Saturday.

On a flat surface, the visitors were made to toil in the field throughout the afternoon with little reward as Babar Azam led Pakistan's resistance with a glorious hundred. The hosts were trailing by 158 runs at stumps on Day 3 with Agha Salman (10) and Zahid Mahmood (1) unbeaten at the crease.

Babar's calm and composed innings of 136 came to an end before tea when he cut Will Jacks straight to the point and departed. It was the first sign of any spin in the track, and gave life to the rest of the England bowling attack, as Pakistan lost four wickets for just 88 in the final session.

Jacks finished the day as the most prolific of the England bowlers, with 3-132 from 32 overs. Naseem Shah was the final wicket to fall in the day, hitting to deep midwicket, but Jack Leach had a lot of ground to make up before taking a good catch. (IANS)

Also Read: Set pieces will be more important, says England defender Harry Maguire

Also Watch: