Pakistan seized control on the second day of the third Test in Rawalpindi, showcasing a compelling performance. Saud Shakeel starred with a brilliant 134, supported by the spinners Noman Ali (45) and Sajid Khan (48*), as the team established a lead of 77 runs. In a dramatic final hour, the spinners took center stage, reducing England to 24 for 3, leaving them trailing by 53 runs.

Shakeel, who had been cautiously building his innings, shifted gears after the tea break, impressively slog-sweeping Jack Leach for a boundary. Meanwhile, Sajid unleashed a flurry of runs, belting two sixes and a four in a single over from Bashir, amassing 19 runs. Despite suffering a cut on his face that caused some bleeding, Sajid remained unfazed, striking another boundary off Leach. Shakeel’s innings concluded when he carelessly lobbed a catch to mid-wicket. Zahid Mahmood fell to the young leg spinner Rehan, who claimed his fourth wicket of the innings, leaving Sajid unbeaten on 48.

Pakistan opened with spin as Saim Ayub bowled the first over, but the strategy was quickly abandoned. Sajid and Noman bowled out the remaining overs of the day. Ben Duckett started aggressively, sweeping Sajid for consecutive boundaries and pushing England to 15 without loss in just three overs.

Crawley survived a close LBW appeal due to an inside edge, but soon fortune favored Pakistan. Duckett, misreading Sajid’s delivery, was trapped LBW after an unsuccessful review. The situation worsened for England as Zak Crawley followed suit, also being dismissed LBW by Noman Ali. Ollie Pope, struggling in the series, edged one to slip for just one run. Harry Brook and Joe Root managed to survive until stumps, leaving England at 24 for 3.

Earlier in the day, Rehan put Pakistan under pressure, taking three wickets in his first six overs and leaving them at 187 for 7 by tea. Together with fellow spinners Bashir and Leach, he applied consistent pressure on the batsmen. Shakeel, however, demonstrated resilience, reaching his century with only five boundaries, effectively rotating the strike to keep the bowlers on the back foot.

Pakistan's partnership of 88 runs between Shakeel and Noman after lunch helped them recover from a precarious position, leveling the scores from 187 for 7 by tea. With a lead of 53 runs, the hosts are now eyeing only their second home Test victory in over three years.

Brief Scores:
England: 267 & 24/3 (Ben Duckett 12, Joe Root 5*; Noman Ali 2-9, Sajid Khan 1-14)
Pakistan: 344 (Saud Shakeel 134, Sajid Khan 48*, Noman Ali 45; Rehan Ahmed 4-66, Shoaib Bashir 3-129)
England trails by 53 runs.