PAK vs ENG 2024: DRS failure leaves Ben Stokes, Joe Root baffled as caught behind appeal falls flat during second Test

Day 3 of the second Test between Pakistan and England in Multan saw a bizarre incident play out in Pakistan's second innings with the bat. Pakistan were positioned at 218/8 with Salman Agha and Sajid Khan at the crease, trying to add whatever crucial runs came their way to make it as tedious for England to chase in the fourth innings. The fifth delivery of the 57th over saw Sajid, who was batting on 20, get comprehensively beaten by a peach of a delivery outside off which held its line after pitching. 

Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith did not quite appeal, but the others including Brydon Carse did not hold back. Mind you, this was the first over after the drinks break during which news had dropped by regarding the Decision Review System being down for a bit due to technical glitches. The English were almost convinced that there was an outside edge to the delivery, but unfortunately, to their misfortune, the technology was down at that particular instance. 

In fact, the television replays did further go on to indicate about there being a noise as the ball passed the bat. However, due to the unavailability of the Hawk-Eye technology, it was a moment of misfortune for England who could not contest to go upstairs, much to the displeasure of skipper, Ben Stokes, and former skipper, Joe Root. 

Also Read: Who is Sajid Khan? Everything you need to know about the Pakistan bowler who once sold cellphones, now bamboozling England batters 

Match evenly poised after spinners dominate proceedings

There were a total of 16 wickets which fell on the third day of the Test. Only three were taken by pacers, with the spinners from both sides accounting for the rest of them. First, it was Sajid Khan who picked up three of the remaining four wickets of England in the morning session. Then, it was the combination of Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir who shared seven dismissals amongst them to topple Pakistan for 221 in their second innings.

Also Read: Twitter Reactions: Bashir, Leach lead England's fightback on 16-wicket day, Pakistan still have the edge

England would have hoped to end the day on an unscathed note. However, Sajid and Noman Ali removed the English openers in no time with Root and Harry Brook quenching the blaze by staying put together till Stumps was called. Despite there being a couple of days in the bank, chasing down 261 runs are not going to be a piece of cake by any stretch of imagination.