Summary

  • Pakistan survive tricky late spell to reach 21-0

  • England recover from 145-5 to end with 50-run first-innings lead

  • Classy Brook hits third century in three Tests (111 off 150 balls)

  • Foakes offers support with steady 64 off 121 balls

  • Stokes run out after mix-up with Brook

  • Pope hits 51 before being bowled by Abrar

  • Nauman removes Duckett for 26 & Root (0) in consecutive deliveries

  1. Brook gives England lead over Pakistanpublished at 12:46 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2022

    Harry BrookImage source, Getty Images

    It has been another absorbing day of Test cricket.

    All of the best reaction and analysis is below. Stephen Shemilt's match report is here.

    That has all of the details of another memorable Harry Brook hundred. He's making quite a name for himself.

    We'll be back at 04:30 GMT on Monday to see which way this match turns next.

  2. How's stat?!published at 12:45 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2022

    Andy Zaltzman
    Cricket statistician on Test Match Special

    Only five previous players have scored three centuries in their first four Tests in the history of Test cricket: George Headley, Arthur Morris, Mohammad Azharuddin, Conrad Hunte and Sunil Gavaskar.

    Brook has also scored 480 runs in his first four Tests.

    That is currently the second most for England in the first four Tests after Ranji in the late 19th century with 518.

  3. 'It's been a good day for us'published at 12:39 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2022

    Harry BrookImage source, Getty Images

    England batter Harry Brook, speaking to Sky Sports: "It's been a good day for us today. We tried to put it back on them and get a bit of a lead. It would have been nice to have got a couple of wickets tonight but I'm sure we will go hard at them tomorrow.

    "There's quite a bit of rough at both ends of the pitch and it is starting to break up, it is so dry and cracked. So hopefully that keeps on happening and we can get a bit of spin and it keeps low.

    "Everybody knows how are going to play our cricket. We proved that over the summer and out here in Pakistan. This pitch is probably slightly lower than the ones in the first couple of Tests so we have had to go about it slightly differently, with not as many cross-batted shots."

  4. Postpublished at 12:36 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2022

    Vic Marks
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    It's going to be hard work for England tomorrow. But they have three days to get the game moving again. It's topping up to be a fantastic series out here.

  5. Pope & Foakes contributepublished at 12:34 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2022

    Ben FoakesImage source, Getty Images

    Ollie Pope played well for his 51 earlier in the day before he got a beauty from Abrar Ahmed.

    That was a ball that turned and bounced from the leg-spinner but things haven't been quite as dangerous since.

    Ben Foakes dug in for important 64, sharing an important stand of 117 with Brook.

    Mark Wood also added 35 and Ollie Robinson 29 which gave England a first-innings lead of 50.

  6. 'Best century so far'published at 12:32 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2022

    Vic Marks
    Former England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    Brook was terrific. To be involved in a run-out with one of your best players [Ben Stokes] is tough.

    I think this was his best century so far. It wasn't as dynamic but the score was close and he was involved in a mix up and despite it still got his century.

    Foakes did really well too. His effort was very valuable.

    The run map shows Harry Brook scored 111 with 3 sixes, 8 fours, 1 three, 10 twos, and 38 singles for England
  7. Postpublished at 12:29 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2022

    Harry BrookImage source, Getty Images

    England were in trouble at times today.

    They were 58-3 and 145-5 - well adrift of Pakistan's total of 304.

    Harry Brook stood up, however, with a brilliant hundred. It was his third in three Tests here in Pakistan and might have been his best given the circumstances.

  8. Postpublished at 12:24 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2022

    Daniel Norcross
    BBC Test Match Special

    We've had a great day of cricket. England have a slender lead and we have a riveting contest on our hands.

  9. Close of play - Pak 21-0published at 9 overs

    Trail by 29

    That is that for today.

    This Test is tantalisingly poised.

  10. Pak 20-0published at 8.5 overs

    Swept riskily from in front of the pad! It's four but England won't mind that being played off the penultimate ball.

  11. Pak 16-0published at 8.3 overs

    Three balls have been blocked by Shafique. Three remain.

    Stokes brings in another catcher...

  12. Pak 16-0published at 8 overs

    Shafique 10, Masood 3

    Rehan Ahmed's final ball of the day almost skids low under Shan Masood's bat. He's done well to hit that.

    One over remains.

  13. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:17 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2022

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

    The four dismissals of Christmas. On the second day o’ the Test Match, the England team bowled out: 4 catches pouched, 3 leg befores, 2 out clean bowled… And the run out of Benjamin Stokes

    Dave in Otley

  14. Pak 11-0published at 7 overs

    Pakistan are playing for the close now. Shan Masood defends.

    Two overs remain as the last bit of direct sunlight peaks through the stands.

  15. Postpublished at 12:12 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2022

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  16. Pak 10-0published at 6 overs

    Almost an edge! It wasn't Ahmed's best ball - in truth it was short and wide - but there was a little bit of turn.

    Stokes applauds his 18-year-old spinner.

  17. Postpublished at 12:09 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2022

    A bowling change!

    Young Rehan Ahmed is coming into the attack...

  18. Pak 10-0published at 5 overs

    Trail by 40

    I don't disagree, Ryan. Then again, I also would have ended in a sweaty, nervous mess if I was captaining in the previous Test so maybe we should trust Ben Stokes.

    Leach beats Shafique's edge with one that turns slowly.

  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:06 Greenwich Mean Time 18 December 2022

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

    Surely we should have Wood in whistling it past their ears and testing out their toes? This will be turning square tomorrow and the quicks won't get much out of the ball.

    Ryan, Malta

  20. Pak 9-0published at 4 overs

    After three overs of blocking, Pakistan decide they want to put a little bit of pressure back on these England spinners. Abdullah Shafique whips Joe Root and then Shan Masood prods a few more.

    There are only five overs left in the day. Given England are bowling the spinners it may be that which comes first before the 12:30 GMT cut off.