Pakistan v England 2nd Test day 3 review: England on the mat as Pakistan's lead over 350

Pakistan v England 2^nd Test day 3 review: England on the mat as Pakistan’s lead over 350: As the 2^nd day in Dubai ended either of the teams could have argued about having their noses ahead. After the 3^rd day the scenario is markedly changed. Pakistan are in a strong position to take a series lead after England collapsed spectacularly in their first innings. All we were interested when the day began was how do Pakistan counter a settled pair of Joe root and Johny Bairstow as they looked to take England towards a lead.

England’s pre lunch surrender was not on the menu of most cricket pundits for sure. And as the day ended Pakistan have pounded more misery for the visitors finishing at 222/3 at stumps.

It always felt like a crucial morning for the Test and perhaps the series. For England it turned out disastrously. Misbah turned immediately to his two most potent bowlers, teaming the left-arm pace of Wahab with the leg spin of Yasir Shah. For the first 20 minutes or so, England looked in control as Yasir offered a couple of loose full tosses.

Sarfraz then made amends for his twin drops and took three sharp catches behind the stumps to put Pakistan firmly in control of the Test. Wahab sent back Joe Root (88), Ben Stokes (4) and Jos Buttler (0) in a match-turning spell leaving the visitors reeling at 216-6, a further 162 away from Pakistan’s 1st innings total.

In what was a typically hostile spell the left armer set the in-form Joe Root up with a succession of short deliveries before angling one across the right-hander to catch the outside edge off an attempted drive. The around the wicket line also worked wonders as Buttler was caught behind. This was a certainly a magical spell by the left arm pacer.

Also read: Twitter Reactions: Wahab Riaz bowls an inspiring spell to bowl England out

England’s batting imploded in the face of some incisive Pakistan bowling. The combination of pace and wrist spin wreaked havoc on the England batsman, who tried to make up for the lack of scoring opportunities against Wahab, by going after Yasir Shah – a strategy that played into the hands of the wily leggie.

Adil Rashid tried an ungainly slow and the resultant top-edge was gobbled up in the circle on the off-side. Jonny Bairstow, who’d played himself to a confident 46 was trapped in front of the stumps by a flipper before Mark Wood was adjudged out caught at slip when it appeared as if the bad had made contact with the ground.

England eventually conceded a lead of 136 and the feeling was it was going to be decisive in the Test. England’s loss of seven wickets for 36 in 18 overs was a reminder of their disarray on their last visit to the UAE when Pakistan’s spinners ran riot. Riaz and Yasir both finished with 4 wickets each.

Despite having just taken a 136-run first innings lead, Pakistan were jolted early in their second essay with both Shan Masood and Shoaib Malik falling early.

Anderson dismissed left-handed Masood for the 4^th time in the series as he couldn’t build on his fine half-century from the first innings. Malik then fell to Mark Wood when he inside edged a pacy delivery on to his stumps to leave Pakistan in a spot of bother at 16 for 2. Hafeez and Younis Khan put their experience to good use as the duo helped Pakistan recover from a precarious position with a half-century stand. While Hafeez donned the aggressor hat Younis was content with picking up the singles on offer.

Having looked largely untroubled in his innings of 51 off 67, the former chased a wide one from Wood and gifted his wicket away. Pakistan reached Tea at 92 for 3. Younis and Misbah extended Pakistan’s advantage in the final session as the lead reached past 250. Both completed comfortable fifties as the English spinners struggled to bowl consistent lines. The hosts ended the day at a commanding 222/3 with a lead of over 350.

England have only one way out of this. Either go for the kill and back themselves to chase whatever Pakistan set up or bank on Alastair Cook’s skills to play out almost two days. None of these look likely and Pakistan are on the verge of taking a crucial series lead.

Overview of the day:

The match took a decisive shift in the first session, from 182/3 overnight England were 242 all out. It was the Wahab Riaz effect. This spell will go down as the major factor in Pakistan’s expected triumph. He generated a little bit of reverse swing and got the ball to hold its line at a fair clip.

Yasir also bowled beautifully and both picked up 4 wicket each. Once a lead of 136 runs was conceded, it was always going to be an uphill battle for England. And Misbah and Younis ensured England remain on the mat.

Stats of the day

1. Misbah-ul-Haq now has the most sixes for a Pakistan batsman in Test cricket.

2. Younis Khan became the first Pakistan batsman to record 9000 Test match runs in his 184^th game.

Brief Scores Day 3:

England 1^st innings – 242/10 (75.2 overs)  (Root 88; Riaz 4-66)

Pakistan 2^nd innings – 222-3 (61 overs)  (Misbah 87*; Wood 2-22)

Pakistan lead by 358 runs