PAK vs. ENG 2024/25, PAK vs. ENG 3rd test match report, October 24th – 28th, 2024

Lunch England 110 for 5 (Stokes 6*, Smith 5*) vs Pakistan

England find themselves in a bind at 110 for 5 at lunch against Pakistan on the first day of the third Test, albeit on a pitch so unpredictable that it is not unrealistic to assume it might be an equal first innings could achieve result.

After an understandably watchful start in the opening games, normal service resumed when Zak Crawley – playing in his 50th Test – pulled off a sweep at the end of the 12th over to reach the 50 partnership. But he only managed 10 minutes to get through the first hour after distorting a booming drive to Gully.

It was the third time in three innings that Crawley fell victim to Noman’s left-arm spin. The familiar opponent theme continued as Ollie Pope was stuck LBW on a sweep attempt and Sajid made a three-for-three. After getting to the crease with an average of just 17 balls, a frenetic 3 from 14 balls only increased the pressure on the vice-captain.

While he took another look and hoped the ball went past leg stump – it turned out to clatter into middle and leg – Root was under no illusions as he was caught in front by the offspinner. A turn held low and entangled England’s leading Test run-scorer, who walked away as the umpire raised his finger.

Root was understandably upset at the manner of his demise, but he was on the last step of the podium when it came to being on the wrong side of misbehaving deliveries. Duckett’s innings ended with a strike from Noman that left him completely bewildered.

Duckett had stabbed Noman in the right hand with a heavy hit to the ground at the start of the same over – an easy catch that only cost a single run. Taking that risk was ultimately justified by the grubber he received, but that 16th fifty-plus score was a testament to Duckett’s clarity and judgment. His swing was fraught with danger, primarily due to a lack of bounce but also a lack of speed with which he could work off the field. He hit exactly half of his runs in the V over the ground, including a crisp attack and a delivery over the ground to Sajid for the first six of the game, which took him to 46.

Harry Brook should have taken a cue from Duckett and kept the sweep under wraps at the start of his innings. Although he moved too far and exposed his leg stump, which was hit by another Sajid throw that spun violently, he might have carried it by the boot if he had remained upright.

Still, playing straight is the best way to get a passable first inning score. Stokes and Smith appeared to heed the lessons of what came before them – the former driving at the start of the 28th over to take England past 100 before the latter hit the mark with a back-footed strike through the cover point.