Rehan Ahmed’s rapid three-wicket burst tilted the balance in England’s favor in the decisive third Test on Friday, leaving Pakistan struggling at 187-7 in Rawalpindi.
The 20-year-old dismissed Mohammad Rizwan (25), Salman Agha (1), and Aamer Jamal (14), heading into the lunch break on day two with impressive figures of 3-25.
England currently holds an 80-run lead.
Saud Shakeel anchored Pakistan’s innings with an unbeaten 72, supported by Noman Ali, who remains not out on six, as no other Pakistani batsman managed to score over 30.
In an extended session to accommodate Friday prayers, Pakistan added 114 runs.
Shakeel, reaching his eighth Test half-century off 132 balls, has hit four boundaries in his resilient innings so far.
England’s spinners Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir struggled to find the sharp turn that Sajid Khan, who took 6-128 to bowl out England for 267 on Thursday, had achieved.
Resuming on 73-3, Pakistan sought a lead to strengthen their chances for a series win.
Shakeel stood out, adding 53 runs with captain Shan Masood (26) for the fourth wicket until Bashir dismissed Masood, caught at slip, giving England their first breakthrough.
Pakistan looked to stabilize as Rizwan joined Shakeel, adding a 52-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
However, Rehan’s introduction into the attack disrupted Pakistan’s momentum. He trapped Rizwan and Agha leg-before in successive overs and bowled Jamal, shifting the advantage back to England.
The series remains tied at 1-1.
