Summary

  • Third Test, Rawalpindi - England win toss & bat

  • Series level at 1-1

  • Smith falls for superb 89 to Zahid

  • Sajid claims five wickets; Noman dismisses both openers & Atkinson

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Live Reporting

by Matthew Henry

  1. wicket

    WICKET

    Atkinson c&b Noman 39 (Eng 225-7)

    The change of bowling works!

    A valuable contribution from Gus Atkinson but an impressive stand comes to an end as he chips one back to Noman Ali.

    No pace on the ball whatsoever as Atkinson tries to force the ball back down the ground off the back foot.

    The ball stopped in the pitch, though, and the England man dollies back a simple return catch.

  2. Shan Masood is keen to regain some control so goes back to experienced Noman Ali.

    Can the left-arm spinner slow England's momentum?

  3. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    Sajid Khan is starting to decline. What is his process, how does he get back into his bowling?

  4. Soham Sarkhel
    CricViz analyst

    Four out of Jamie Smith's five 50+ knocks in Tests have come while the team has been under some sort of pressure:

    1. 111 off 148 balls v Sri Lanka, Manchester, 2024; came into bat at 125-4
    2. 95 off 109 balls v West Indies, Birmingham, 2024; came into bat at 169-6
    3. 67 off 50 balls v Sri Lanka, The Oval, 2024; came into bat at 66-4, which became 82-7
    4. 61* off 98 balls today after coming into bat at 98-5
  5. 100 runs

    Eng 224-6

    Down the ground now.

    Good use of the feet from Jamie Smith before pumping Sajid Khan for six more.

    That brings up the 100 partnership. A vital one for England.

  6. 6 runs

    Eng 217-6

    Slog sweep and the power of Jamie Smith sees the ball fly high over the on side for six.

    This England pair have clearly seen enough. It's go time for the Bazballers once more...

  7. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    What a partnership this is.

  8. Eng 211-6

    Gus Atkinson is still keen to get after Zahid Mahmood but the leg-spinner had done a good job of bringing back a bit of control.

    However, the last ball is a touch short and Atkinson hammers it back down the ground off the back foot.

    One bounce for four. Another very good shot.

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    Jamie Smith is proving his worth in this team. Once again.

    Mark, Canterbury

  10. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    These two are starting to gain some initiative here.

  11. Eng 207-6

    Smith 61, Atkinson 35

    A bit of luck for Jamie Smith but he's starting to motor now. Gus Atkinson, too.

    Another 12 from Sajid Khan's over as England start to put a bit of pressure on the Pakistan spinners.

  12. dropped catch

    Smith dropped on 54

    Eng 205-6

    It's six for Jamie Smith but it was so nearly the end of his innings.

    After slog-sweeping the previous ball before, he goes big again next ball and picks out Saud Shakeel at long-on.

    Well, he should have done but the ball goes through the fielder's hands and over the rope for six.

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    Good to see that England have discovered the value of playing with a straight bat and the ball on merits. The problem is it may be a couple of hours late! I can see Pakistan faring much better as better players of spin with more loose deliveries to feed off.

    Tom, suitably pessimistic in Stockport

  14. Eng 195-6

    Four more to end the over!

    No danger this time as Gus Atkinson wallops the ball over mid-on for his third boundary of the Zahid Mahmood's set.

  15. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    The fielder down there had a go but it was a good hit.

  16. Eng 191-6

    Gus Atkinson was in control of the last one, I'm not so sure this time.

    He goes over the top again, slightly straighter this time and the fielder at wide long-off is there.

    The dive goes in but he can't get there. One bounce for four.

  17. Eng 187-6

    Top shot.

    Tossed up by Zahid Mahmood and Gus Atkinson, very intentionally, hits up and over cover.

    Timed well and it gets to the boundary in no time.

  18. Steven Finn
    Former England fast bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    Jamie Smith has been calm and tried to put the pressure back onto Pakistan.

  19. 50 runs

    50 for Jamie Smith

    Eng 183-6

    Jamie Smith calls for two again and this time he gets to bring up his fourth Test fifty.

    It's been a extremely valuable knock with England in trouble. He reached the milestone from 94 balls.

    A composed innings and he's not done yet.

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    Waiting for what seems like an eternity to board a flight from Tivat in Montenegro. Had thought England would be all out before I board in 15 minutes but starting to look OK. Doubt we'll be batting when we land!

    Joe, Montenegro