Summary

  • Third Test, day one, Rawalpindi - England win toss & bat

  • Series level at 1-1

  • Pakistan close on 73-3, trailing by 194

  • Bashir, Leach and Atkinson strike in final session

  • England 267: Smith 89, Duckett 52; Sajid 6-128

Live Reporting

by Sam Drury & Matthew Henry

  1. Ramiz Raja
    Former Pakistan captain on Test Match Special

    That was a top quality delivery.

  2. Eng 150-6

    How has that missed?

    Noman Ali has his hands on his knees and has no idea how he hasn't dismissed Gus Atkinson.

    He does the England man in the flight, getting the ball to dip late again, then turns it away.

    It's no more than a couple of millimetres from the bat and no further away from the off stump. Brilliant spin bowling.

  3. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    Definitely think England have needed to show a bit more nous so far in this match. It's not like Pakistan's pitch preparations were carried out behind closed doors.

    Tom, Belfast

  4. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    Sajid Khan has now bowled 21 overs, is it time for a change?

  5. Eng 147-6

    Jamie Smith gets down and lap-sweeps for two to keep England ticking over.

    After 18 from his last two overs, might Sajid Khan finally be tiring slightly after such a lengthy spell?

  6. Ramiz Raja
    Former Pakistan captain on Test Match Special

    Beautiful shot. You've got to enjoy the timing because so many batters have struggled with that today.

  7. Eng 145-6

    Another fabulous shot from Jamie Smith.

    Lovely timing to drive Sajid Khan through extra cover for four.

    That prompts a change of angle for the off-spinner, who will have a go from round the wicket.

  8. Eng 141-6

    A couple of singles from Noman Ali's latest and we've now had 40 overs in the innings.

    Still just the two bowlers used by Pakistan and why not? Look at the score.

    Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson are digging in well for England, though.

  9. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    Virtually anything excites Muhammad Rizwan.

  10. Eng 139-6

    Smith 21, Atkinson 7

    Those runs will help, Robert, but 250 does still seem a long way off.

    Jamie Smith gets England a couple of runs closer with a push through the covers for two to end Sajid Khan's over - a productive one for the tourists.

  11. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    I agree with John (08.57) but how on earth can England get to 250 now?

    A depressed Robert in Billericay

  12. 6 runs

    Eng 137-6

    It's ugly... but it's four then six for Jamie Smith.

    Down the track to Sajid Khan and ends up dragging an attempted big shot leg side - into the gap at deep mid-wicket.

    He goes again next ball and this time gets more of it. Just enough to clear Saim Ayub on the rope.

    The Pakistan fielder thought he was in the game there, and he so nearly was.

  13. Eng 127-6

    Shot!

    Too short from Noman Ali and slightly too wide as well.

    Gus Atkinson goes back and thumps a back-foot drive through the covers for four.

    Excellent response from Noman. Straight back on it with a beautiful dipping delivery that turns away just enough to beat Atkinson as he lunged forward.

  14. What you've missed

    Harry Brook after being dismissedGetty Images

    Just logging in after the morning commute?

    England are struggling. They won what looked like a crucial toss but, with the ball turning, have lost six wickets.

    Conditions for batting have been difficult, on a pitch that has been prepared to spin with industrial fans, patio heaters and rakes.

    As well as the turn there have been balls shooting low with spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan bowling unchanged throughout.

    But there have also been some poor shots. Zak Crawley was first dismissed on the drive, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook both missed sweeps and Ben Stokes was also dismissed playing a loose drive.

    Their best chance of a decent score seems to lie with Jamie Smith.

  15. Eng 121-6

    A positive spin on this situation, Martin, very fitting...

    Another maiden goes by as Sajid Khan continues to wile away.

    Both Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson are choosing to soak up the pressure for the time being. We'll have to see how long that lasts.

  16. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    There's something quite nostalgic about an England batting collapse before breakfast.. watching wickets tumble while working shows all is right with the world..

    Martin, Worcester

  17. Eng 121-6

    Noman Ali rattles through another maiden with Gus Atkinson getting forward to defend more often that not.

    No issues with the over rate today, with Pakistan's two finger spinners bowling unchanged since the start of play.

  18. Eng 121-6

    The pitch is turning, the bounce is variable but you still need the bowlers to make the most of the conditions.

    We've all seen even the best seamers in the world fail to capitalise when the pressure is on on a green seamer, or spinners wilt when asked to perform on a dusty fourth-innings surface.

    No such problems for Sajid Khan and Noman Ali here, though. Despite the pressure, they've thrived in these conditions.

  19. Get Involved

    #bbccricket, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (standard network charges apply)

    John Petrie: Going out on a limb here but I think 250 in this innings could be a winning total.

  20. Eng 120-6

    Beauty from Noman Ali.

    Flighted and it dips to pitch on middle before turning away from Jamie Smith to beat the bat.

    Smith didn't try to follow it, though, as he remains watchful throughout a maiden over.