Bilal Ahmed 
(C)Propakistani,sajid khans six wicket haul puts pakistan in command against england
England’s dream of series triumph was check on Thursday, Pakistan spinners on the first day of the final match in Rawalpindi. The visitors however collapsed to be bowled out for 267; Jamie Smith scored a spirited 89 but Sajid Khan was the pick of bowlers with 6-128. Pakistan in turn was dismissed for 73 for 3 at the close on a pitch that offered plenty of turn to the spinners, still 194 runs behind.
Spinners Dominate play in Dry Rawalpindi Pitch
The Rawalpindi pitch was always going to be dry, and with pre-event fan and heater usage, it turned into a paradise for spinners right from the start. What followed was a strange event of Test cricket as Pakistan started with spin bowlers Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, a unique feat only the fourth time in Test cricket history. It proved to be beneficial as England fell early to be 56-3 before registering a quickfire 54 off the next few overs to reach 110-5 at lunch.
Noman Ali backed Sajid impeccably, taking 3-88, as both bowlers remained on the park for a staggering 42 over. Zak Crawley (29) and Ollie Pope (3) and Captain Joe Root (5) were the main contributors from the top order failed to handle the spin and bounce of the wicket and Ben Duckett’s spirited fifty was the only consolation.
Smith’s counter-attack gives England hope
Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith proved to be a saviour for England as he came up with a match-saving 89 that contained six maximums and five fours. Atkinson scored 39 while the last four wickets put together 149 with the help of Stokes’ 119-ball innings that came with brute force, though it did not matter much when it came to the final tally.
Pakistan replied carefully but they were not without loss, as they lost three wickets before the new day set in. Shoaib Bashir and Jack Leach were instrumental with the new ball as they got rid of Abdullah Shafique on 14 and Saim Ayub on 19. Captain Shan Masood was unbeaten on 16 and Saud Shakeel on 16 which ensured a very interesting second day’s play.
