Pak vs Eng 3rd Test Day 1—England Strike First as Pakistan Crumble
The highly anticipated Pak vs Eng 3rd Test got off to an explosive start on Day 1 in Rawalpindi. England, winning the toss for the first time in eight matches under Ben Stokes, made full use of the decision, posting a competitive 267 despite a shaky middle order. Pakistan, in response, faltered early and were left reeling at 73 for 3 by stumps, handing England a clear advantage heading into Day 2.
England's Resilience After Early Collapse
England’s innings started steadily, with Ben Duckett’s solid 52 leading them to a promising 56 without loss. However, Pakistan’s spin attack, led by the in-form Sajid Khan, turned the tide. Sajid’s brilliant 6 for 128 helped reduce England to 98 for 5, as Pakistan’s spinners, especially Noman Ali (3 for 88), found significant turn and bounce on a tricky surface.
The fightback came from Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson, whose vital 107-run partnership steadied England’s ship. Smith’s aggressive 89 and Atkinson’s composed 39 pushed England to 267, giving their bowlers something to defend.
Sajid Khan’s Spin Masterclass in Pak vs Eng 3rd Test
Pakistan’s star of the day was undoubtedly Sajid Khan, who claimed his second consecutive five-wicket haul in the series. His control over spin and bounce kept England’s batsmen on the back foot. Sajid’s performance, paired with Noman Ali’s persistence, kept Pakistan in contention, but England’s tail wagged enough to post a challenging total.
Pakistan's Early Struggles in Reply
Pakistan’s response with the bat was far from ideal. Abdullah Shafique was trapped LBW by Bashir early on, while Saim Ayub fell to Jack Leach for 24. England’s bowlers, especially the spinners, took advantage of the erratic bounce on the Rawalpindi pitch, leaving Pakistan at 73 for 3 by stumps. Shan Masood (18*) and Saud Shakeel (1*) are left with the daunting task of salvaging Pakistan’s innings on Day 2.
Unpredictable Rawalpindi Pitch Adds Intrigue
In Pak vs Eng 3rd Test Rawalpindi’s pitch has been the real talking point, offering inconsistent bounce and aiding the spinners throughout Day 1. Both captains expressed concerns about the surface pre-match, and the day’s play confirmed their worries. The unpredictable conditions are sure to shape the rest of the match, with both teams needing to adapt quickly to survive.
