Pakistan v England: Test series decider evenly poised after Jamie Smith rescues tourists on day one
Published 24/10/2024 at 13:34 GMT+1
On a tricky pitch, England were bowled all out for 267 after a brilliant Pakistan performance with the ball in hand on day one of the Test series decider. The visitors found themselves five wickets down for fewer than 100 runs but recovered thanks to a superb 89 from Jamie Smith. The day drew to a close with Pakistan 73-3 in response, with the action to restart early on Friday morning.
Triple-centurion Brook just wanted to 'get past dad's highest score'
Video credit: TNT Sports
An excellent knock of 89 by Jamie Smith spared England’s blushes on day one of the Test series decider against Pakistan at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bat, but that decision backfired early on a pitch that proved treacherous.
Once again, it was left-arm spinner Noman Ali (3-88) and off-spinner Sajid Khan (6-128) who did the damage for the hosts, ripping through the top half of the order for the loss of fewer than 100 runs.
But a strong partnership between Smith and Gus Atkinson steadied the ship for England, who were eventually bowled all out for 267.
England enjoyed similar success with the ball in hand, with Pakistan 73-3 and 194 runs in arrears at the end of an enthralling day of action.
Ben Duckett survived an early review before Noman made the breakthrough to open the floodgates, Zak Crawley falling for 29 when he top-edged it into the grateful grasp of Saim Ayub at backward point.
Ollie Pope arrived at the crease but was gone just three runs and 14 balls later for lbw from Sajid when he missed a sweep.
Joe Root fared little better, managing five runs in six balls before being dismissed as Sajid continued to wreak havoc on England’s batsmen.
After being dropped a couple of times, Duckett, who had batted well to make a half-century, was then trapped lbw by a rogue bounce as Noman claimed his second of three wickets.
It was 98-5 when Harry Brook was bowled for just five runs as Sajid completed his hat-trick before lunch, before captain Ben Stokes fell moments after the resumption.
Atkinson and Smith showed what was possible against Pakistan’s spin attack with a 107-run partnership that made 300 a realistic target once again.
- Livingstone to captain England for West Indies ODI series after Buttler injury setback
- New Zealand win first ever T20 World Cup title with commanding victory over South Africa
Noman caught and bowled Atkinson for 39 before Zahid Mehmood took the crucial wicket of Smith as England’s resistance was finally broken.
In response, Pakistan found conditions equally tough with the bat.
Stokes varied his bowling attack more than the all-spin approach of the hosts and it proved astute as England dismissed Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub and Kamran Ghulam before close of play to leave the Test well poised.
- - -
Watch and stream top cricket action live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement