England versus Pakistan 3rd Test 3rd Day: England in a commanding position despite Azhar Ali knock

 

Despite Azhar Ali brilliant knock, England ended the 3^rd day of the 3^rd Test match played at Ageas Bowl, Southampton in a commanding position on Sunday.

Starting on the overnight score of 24 for 3, it was not an ideal start for the Pakistani cricket team as Asad Shafiq's poor form continued as he provided a simple catch to Joe Root at first slips. James Anderson picked his fourth wicket of the innings before rain stopped play again.

After the first rain break, Fawad Alam and Azhar Ali struggled with their timing. With the scoreboard reading 41 for 4, rain arrived again. The umpires decided to call lunch after the 2^nd rain break.

The second session saw Fawad Alam and captain Azhar Ali showing their class putting pressure on England bowlers. Dom Bess provided the much-needed breakthrough for England dismissing Alam for 21. Alam and Azhar added 45 runs for the 5^th wicket.

Azhar Ali played some lovely strokes off every England bowler especially the cut, drives. On the other hand, Mohammad Rizwan looked solid as ever. The Pakistani captain Azhar completed a hard-fought half-century off 137 balls. Jofra Archer bowled with pace and troubled Rizwan with his bouncers. Azhar Ali showed his class playing some brilliant shots. At the end of the 2^nd session, Pakistan scored 158 for 5.

After the tea break, Rizwan and Azhar Ali continued to play the England bowlers decently according to the merit. England captain Root started with Broad and Archer. He then bought on Dom Bess into the bowling attack. Rizwan looked in complete control reaching his fifty off 103 balls. Azhar Ali led from the front and scored his first Test century after a long time off 205 balls.

Azhar Ali and Rizwan looked in fine touch with their stroke play. Chris Woakes provided the breakthrough with 2^nd new ball for England dismissing Rizwan down the leg catch. Rizwan and Azhar added 138 runs for the 6^th wicket. Yasir Shah played some lovely boundaries before Broad dismissed him.

A superb one-handed catch by Buttler ended the innings for Shaheen Shah Afridi. England’s fielding was not great as Crawley and Burns dropped easy catches. Stuart Broad dropped an easy catch but produced a direct hit to dismiss Abbas. Azhar Ali took most of the strike but Anderson picked his fifth of the innings getting rid of Naseem Shah with a low catch by Sibley at third slips. England bowled out Pakistan for 273.

The England captain Joe Root decided to follow-on. Azhar Ali and Shan Masood came to the crease before umpires called off play due to bad light.

 Pakistan 273 in 93 overs  ( Azhar Ali 141*, Rizwan 53,  James Anderson 5/40 ) trail England 583 for 8 in 154.4 overs ( Crawley 267, Jos Buttler 152, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2/121, Alam 2/46) by 310 runs.  

 James Anderson 5 wicket haul lead England in a commanding position