Smith and late wickets boost England against Pakistan

By Stephan Shemilt, Rawalpindi, Oct 24: Jamie Smith’s fabulous 89 and a trio of late wickets gave England the upper hand on a breathless first day of the third and deciding Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi.

Smith dragged England to 267 all out, then the Pakistan top order stumbled to 73-3 to put the tourists in a favourable position to claim a second successive series win in this country.

On a pitch Pakistan had dried with giant fans and patio heaters, the hosts’ plan was being vindicated thanks in part to some careless England batting after the visitors won a crucial toss.

Only Ben Duckett, with 52, was blameless for his dismissal as England slumped from 56-0 to 118-6 before Smith’s impressive rescue act.

The wicketkeeper added 107 with Gus Atkinson, who made 39, with Smith accelerating on passing 50. He crashed six sixes and was too cavalier in looking for a seventh to be out in the over before tea.

England were dismissed early into the evening, off-spinner Sajid Khan claiming 6-128 to go with his nine wickets in Pakistan’s win in the second Test.

Pakistan employed spin exclusively across the 68.2 overs, the longest first innings in Test history without any seam bowling.

The England total felt no more than par before Shoaib Bashir, Jack Leach and Atkinson claimed a wicket apiece to leave Pakistan 194 adrift. (BBC)