PAK vs ENG: Shoaib Bashir, Salman Agha shine as 2nd Test set for thrilling finish

PAK vs ENG: The second Test in Multan is set for a thrilling finish as England need 261 more runs to win with eight wickets in hand. Earlier, Salman Ali Agha scored a half-century while Shoaib Bashir picked up a four-wicket haul.

In Short

• England need 261 more runs to win the 2nd Test
• Sajid Khan had figures of 26.2-1-111-7 in the first innings
• England lost both their openers in their second innings

The second Test between Pakistan and England at the Multan Cricket Stadium hangs in the balance. After three days of jaw-dropping action, Ben Stokes and Co. need 261 more runs to win with eight wickets in hand. Chasing a stiff target of 297, the visitors lost the early wickets of both their openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, but Ollie Pope and Joe Root staved off the final burst from the Pakistani spinners.

PAK vs ENG, 2nd Test, Day 3 Highlights

Earlier, Sajid Khan carried on from where he left off, picking up a five-wicket haul. The off-spinner became unstoppable to finish with figures of 26.2-1-111-7, recording the best bowling figures in Test cricket in Multan. He got apt support from Noman Ali, who accounted for three crucial scalps.

On the back of their spells, Pakistan took a lead of 75 runs in their first innings. The lead would have been over 100 had Jack Leach not scored a run-a-ball 25 for the Three Lions.

Batting in their second innings, Pakistan lost wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for 221 in 59.2 overs. Salman Ali Agha, who has been in great form, was the standout batter for the home team. The right-handed batter scored 63 runs off 89 balls before Brydon Carse accounted for his wicket.

Saim Ayub (22), Shan Masood (11), Kamran Ghulam (26), Saud Shakeel (31) and Mohammad Rizwan (23) got into double digits, but failed to make their starts count. Although Carse picked up two wickets, it was the spin duo of Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir that did the heavy-lifting.

Bashir stood out for England with figures of 19-0-66-4. Leach also kept the Pakistani batters in check, picking up three wickets. Sajid Khan stayed unbeaten on 22, nearly helping his team set England a target of 300.

Going into the fourth day, the English batters have a challenging task in hand as the pitch has deteriorated, giving help to the spinners.