Babar Azam hits century but England mount late fightback

The Pakistan captain recorded his eighth century in Tests before the tourists claimed a handful of wickets to offer hope of a result in Rawalpindi

Nick Howson | 03/12/2022 at 12:01

Rawalpindi (third day of five): England 657, Pakistan 499-7 - Pakistan are 158 runs behind with three first innings wickets remaining

Scorecard

Pakistan captain Babar Azam stole the show with a fine century before England showed great resolve with some late wickets to give themselves hope of a result in the first Test.

For long periods of day three batters were again dominant as Abdullah Shafique (114) and Imam-ul-Haq (121) converted overnight fifties into hundreds in an opening stand worth 225.

Babar then pilled the pain on the tourists with an eighth Test ton, eventually being dismissed by Will Jacks for 136.

The skipper put on 123 for the fourth wicket with Saud Shakeel (37) but four wickets in the tea session ensured England had something to show from a tough day in the field.

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^{Jacks claimed three wickets on debut (AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)}

Saud edged behind off Ollie Robinson, Babar carved Jacks straight to Jack Leach and James Anderson picked up Mohammad Rizwan (29).

Three wickets fell for 62 runs in 14.2 overs as a Test, sedate in pace during Pakistan's reply, finally moved along.

England capped an evening session they can claim to have had the better of when Nassem Shah (15) holed out to Leach, giving Jacks his third.

By the time bad light caused another premature end to the day, Pakistan had avoided the follow-on and reduced the arrears to 158 with two days to play.

While the draw remains the likely outcome, England have given themselves a glimmer of hope heading into the penultimate day of the Test.