England’s top-order faltered again in the face of Pakistan’s spinners and were 140 for four at lunch on the second day of the third and final Test here on Sunday. Left-arm spinner Noman Ali dismissed Ben Duckett (26) and Joe Root (0) in successive balls while mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed bowled Ollie Pope (51) soon after completing his half-century. Harry Brooke received life support because of the referral. He was playing on 38 at lunch while skipper Ben Stokes scored 25 at the other end.
The England team is currently 164 runs behind Pakistan, who had scored 304 runs in their first innings. England have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. England started playing ahead of seven runs for one wicket in the morning. Pope and Duckett adopted an aggressive approach against fast bowler Mohammad Wasim. Wasim conceded 19 runs in his first two overs after which he was dropped from the attack. After this Pakistan’s spinners got hold of the match. Abrar dismissed Duckett lbw while Root was also sent to the pavilion on the next ball. Agha Salman caught his catch in the slips. Pope brought up his half-century off 63 balls with a four off Noman at cover point but Abrar’s fast-spinning ball fell down his gullies.
