England bowlers toil as Babar Azam’s century guides Pakistan to 411 at tea
Babar Azam scored a masterful century and guided Pakistan to 411 for three at tea as the England bowlers toiled without a breakthrough in the afternoon session on day three in Rawalpindi.
England had made key inroads into the Pakistan batting line-up in the morning, with Jack Leach taking two wickets, but there was little on offer after the lunch break.
Pakistan captain Babar played an elegant innings to become the seventh centurion of the Test with an unbeaten 106 at tea to the delight of an almost-full stadium.
Ben Stokes continued to tinker with the field and his bowling options, including an unorthodox packing of the offside with catchers to James Anderson, but Pakistan continued to edge closer to England’s first-innings total of 657.
However, Stokes is still without one of his bowling options after Liam Livingstone continued to remain off the field with a right knee issue that saw him replaced by substitute Keaton Jennings on Friday.
Before lunch England had worked hard in the first hour for little reward, but claimed three wickets, all to spin.
Leach’s wicket just before the interval briefly threatened to shift momentum, but the tourists were unable to capitalise in the afternoon.
After resuming on 181 without loss, both openers brought up their centuries, with the Test becoming the first in history where both opening stands have been over 100, and all four departed having scored centuries.
Abdullah Shafique was the first to bring up his century for the hosts, which came from 177 deliveries, as Pakistan continued in the same manner as they finished the second day.
It was Abdullah’s third century in only his eighth Test match, all of which have come in the subcontinent.
Imam-ul-Haq followed up his teammate by bringing up his own ton shortly afterwards, from 180 balls, his third century at the ground in Rawalpindi.
Latest
-
News
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.
-
England
Andrew Flintoff would be excellent England coach – Rob Key
The former national team captain will lead Northern Superchargers in The Hundred this summer.