RAWALPINDI: Imam-ul-Haq and Saud Shakeel resisted with a valiant 55-run partnership to steer Pakistan to 80/2 after England set a 343-run target following a brave decision by captain Ben Stokes to declare second innings on 264/7, on the penultimate day of the first Test.
The fiery England side turned the dull Rawalpindi Test into an enthralling contest as they put Pakistan to bat again on the same day and took wickets to put the home team under pressure.
Pakistan, however, are perfectly positioned to win the first Test as they require 263 runs on the final day to take a lead in the three-match series.
Ben Stokes-led side undertook an aggressive approach as they batted only 36 overs in their second turn after bowling out Pakistan 579 in the first session on day 4.
Brook and Joe Root dominated Pakistan bowlers for most of the post-lunch session as the two gathered for a brilliant 96-run partnership before Zahid got rid of Root and incoming batter Stokes in the same over.
Former captain Root played a sensational knock at a strike rate of over 100, scoring 73 off 69, including six fours while Brook continued to take on Pakistan bowlers as he smashed 11 fours and three sixes during his blistering knock of 65-ball 87.
Naseem Shah knocked down danger-man Brook before umpires called the session while Stokes decided to declare the innings during the interval.
Pakistan underwent a dismal start to their chase as first-inning centurion Abdullah Shafique was dismissed cheaply on 6 by pacer Ollie Robinson before veteran Azhar Ali walked off the field after getting retiring hurt.
Skipper Stokes then took the priceless wicket of his counterpart in the very next over after he just faced five balls before Saud and Imam prolonged their stay on the crease. Imam moved closer to his half-century while Saud was batting at 24 off 42 till the close of the day.
Earlier Naseem earned a prompt breakthrough for Pakistan when he dismissed first-innings’ centurion Ben Duckett on a golden duck in the very first over of England’s batting.
Debutant Mohammad Ali then struck down Ollie Pope after he managed 15 off 13 as the visiting side was restricted to 46/2 before Lunch
Despite the early scares, England batters were on the charge and attempted to quickly increase their lead and achieve a solid total in order to prevent the game from a draw.
Earlier, part-timer Will Jacks produced dream figures of 6 for 161 as he hunted down the remaining three wickets to book Pakistan early on Day four as they resumed from the overnight score of 499/7.
All-rounder Agha Salman notched up his half-century before he fell prey to off-spinner Jack, who then went on to dismiss Haris Rauf and Zahid Mahmood.
Earlier on Day three, Pakistan gave a befitting response to England’s record total when skipper Babar Azam dominated the touring party’s bowlers and raised his 8th Test hundred after both the openers Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique scored centuries too.
Pakistan openers piled up an astounding 221-run partnership as Abdullah played a phenomenal knock of 209-ball 114 while Imam contributed 121 off 207.
Skipper Babar, however, smashed a remarkable 168-ball 136 as he stitched a magnificent 123-run partnership with Saud Shakeel for the fourth wicket.
For England, apart from Jacks’ outstanding bowling figures, spinner Jack Leach took two scalps while pacers Ollie Robinson and veteran James Anderson also had a wicket each.
