Pakistan vs England: Babar Azam's century and English bowlers shine the ball on the third day

Pakistan vs England: Babar Azam's century and English bowlers shine the ball on the third day Pakistan scored 499 runs for the loss of seven wickets on the third day of the first Test match between England and Pakistan in Rawalpindi. Pakistan still need 158 runs to end England's lead with three wickets remaining.

This is the first Test match in the history of Test cricket in which the openers of both the teams have scored double centuries

This is the first Test match in the history of Test cricket in which the openers of both the teams have scored double centuries in the first innings and all four openers have scored centuries. All debate on this dead pitch aside, seven batsmen have scored centuries in the first two innings here so far: England's four and Pakistan's three.

Babur's eighth Test century

By tea break, Pakistan scored 411 runs for the loss of three wickets after playing 113 overs, while England had a lead of 246 runs over Pakistan at that time. Captain Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel added 121 runs for the fourth wicket while Babar Azam completed his eighth century by scoring 136 runs in the same session. It was the third century on the third day. It should be noted that on the first day, four English batsmen, Zac Crowley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Harry Brooke scored centuries. With their help, England scored 657 runs in the first innings. Earlier, till the lunch break, Pakistan had scored 298 runs for the loss of three wickets. On the third day of the match, English spinners lucked out and they managed to break the double century partnership between openers Abdullah Shafiq and Imamul Haq. Abdullah Shafiq was on 114 when off-spinner Will Jacks edged his bat in the guise of a cut and wicketkeeper Ollie Pope took a difficult catch. It was debutant Jacques' first Test wicket. After only 20 runs with the total score on 245, Imamul Haq tried to attack Jack Leach and was caught by Ollie Robinson. Imam scored his third century at the Pindi Stadium. Pindi's pitch: 'It is better to let the teams play the Test match on the National Highway'The 'mystery sniper' Abrar Ahmed, who has 'a lot of life in his fingers', joined the Pakistan team.

British ambassador's 'pindi boy' look: 'Heard the English speaking Urdu but saw him speak Pothohari for the first time'

British ambassador's 'pindi boy' look: 'Heard the English speaking Urdu but saw him speak Pothohari for the first time' The moment before the 73rd over after the wickets of both the openers had fallen was particularly odd when Joe Root was seen rubbing the ball on Leach's bald head in an attempt to make it shine.

Then at one point he appeared to flash the ball off Ollie Pope's forehead. And when England got the new ball after 80 overs, the second over was given to Root but could not get much benefit from it. Azhar Ali, who came in at number three, scored just 27 runs and was lbw to Leach's straight ball. After lunch, captain Babar Azam hit several boundaries to increase the scoring rate and in the process completed his seventh half-century. He scored 51 runs off 68 balls. Babar Azam added a hundred runs with Saud Shakeel for the fourth wicket and also completed his century in the 111th over off 126 balls.