On Day 2 of the third and final Test between Pakistan and England at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, England’s right-arm off-spinner Shoaib Bashir delivered a bowling masterclass. Dismissing Pakistan skipper Shaan Masood with a sharp, turning delivery, Bashir provided a key breakthrough for England.
Shoaib Bashir’s stunning delivery ends Shaan Masood’s knock
In the 36th over of Pakistan’s first innings, Bashir’s spin prowess was on full display. Tossing up a full delivery on the leg stump, Bashir deceived Masood, who closed the face of his bat in an attempt to work the ball onto the leg side. The ball turned sharply, catching the leading edge and flying to Ollie Pope at gully. Positioned close under the lid, Pope completed a sharp, low catch to his left, sending Masood back to the pavilion for 26 off 70 balls. This dismissal mirrored Masood’s struggles from previous games, showcasing Bashir’s control and consistency.
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Before taking Masood’s wicket, Bashir claimed the crucial wicket of Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique, establishing himself as a central threat to their batting lineup. His precise bowling maintained pressure on Pakistan’s top order, helping England set a solid defensive tone early in the innings.
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Crucial match for both teams
The first day concluded with England posted a moderate total of 267, bolstered by solid performances by Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett but subdued by Pakistan’s Sajid Khan, who took six critical wickets. As Pakistan came to bat on Day 2, their innings seemed promising initially but soon struggled under England’s consistent pressure. At the lunch break, Pakistan stood at a precarious 187/7, trailing by 80 runs with only a few recognized batter remaining.
Amid Pakistan’s faltering batting lineup, middle-order batter Saud Shakeel provided a glimmer of hope, anchoring the innings with a determined 72. Shakeel’s efforts, including four fours were the backbone of Pakistan’s score, yet the lack of support from the other end put his efforts at risk. With the pressure mounting, Pakistan’s lower order faces the task of bridging the deficit as they seek to stabilize their first innings.
The significance of this match cannot be overstated, as both Pakistan and England are tied 1-1 in this three-match Test series. A win here would clinch the series, adding extra pressure to each decision, wicket, and run. As Day 2 unfolds, both teams are keenly aware that their performance in this match will not only decide the series but also impact their standings on the international Test stage.
Also READ: Twitter reactions: Sajid Khan puts Pakistan ahead despite England bowlers’ late comeback on Day 1 of the 3rd Test
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