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. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    What a partnership this is.

  2. 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

  4. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

    These two are starting to gain some initiative here.

  5. 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.

  6. 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

  8. 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.

  9. Jonathan Agnew
    BBC cricket correspondent on Test Match Special

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

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. 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

  15. Eng 181-6

    For the third straight over, it's a single each for Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith.

    The latter wanted two after clipping the last ball of Zahid Mahmood's over through mid-wicket but was rightly sent back by Atkinson.

    Zahid had beaten him with a superb turning delivery the ball before but Smith quickly brushed that off.

  16. Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport chief cricket writer in Rawalpindi

    There was a good crowd here two years ago and decent numbers again today. In contrast to Multan, this ground is the middle of the city, so much easier to get to.

    It's also free entry, though there is some suggestion the need for an actual physical ticket is making it hard. The call to prayer very occasionally wafts across the ground, mixed with Adele's Skyfall.

  17. Eng 179-6

    Another over ticks by with a single apiece for the England pair. Their partnership is now worth 61.

    Jamie Smith is closing in on another Test half-century.

  18. Eng 177-6

    Smith 46, Atkinson 20

    Just a couple of singles from Zahid Mahmood's latest but England have batted well since lunch.

    Sensible cricket from Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson, digging in for the most part and picking their moments to attack.

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

    It feels like Pakistan are dangling carrots at the moment. They are taking the pace off the ball just asking for England to try and hit it big.

  20. 6 runs

    Eng 175-6

    Jamie SmithGetty Images

    "Catch it!" is the cry from Muhammad Rizwan behind the stumps but the ball sails over the head of the deep mid-wicket fielder.

    A lusty blow from Jamie Smith as he goes back and pummels Sajid Khan over the leg side.