Pakistan Reach 297 for 5 at Tea, Trail England by 23 Runs

News Desk

England: Pakistan reached 297 for 5 at tea on the third day of the Test against England, trailing the hosts by 23 runs after a determined batting effort.

Saud Shakeel was unbeaten on 29, while debutant Ghazi Ghori was not out on 6 as Pakistan continued their fightback after England posted 453 in their first innings.

Shan Masood narrowly missed out on a century, falling for 95 in a dramatic dismissal that saw England’s Dan Lawrence produce a stunning catch.

Masood and Azan Awais had earlier revived Pakistan’s innings with a 125-run partnership, adding 73 runs during the morning session. The stand was Pakistan’s first century partnership of the series and helped them recover from 2 for 0.

Awais was eventually dismissed for 45 by Lawrence after edging a delivery through to wicketkeeper Jordan Cox. England reviewed the initial not-out decision, with DRS confirming that Awais had made contact with the ball.

Masood continued to anchor the innings alongside Babar Azam, who added 75 before being dismissed by Josh Tongue. Babar survived a dramatic moment earlier when he appeared to be caught near the boundary, but replays showed the fielder had stepped on the boundary sponge, resulting in six runs.

Masood eventually fell five runs short of his century when he edged a delivery from Gus Atkinson, with Lawrence completing an exceptional diving catch.

Babar’s dismissal left Pakistan needing further resistance from Shakeel, who had already impressed in the second Test with a second-innings 97 and was Pakistan’s leading scorer in the first innings of the current match with 43.

Despite losing five wickets, Pakistan have significantly reduced England’s first-innings advantage and remain within touching distance of parity heading into the final session.