England will need a massive reversal in fortunes on Day 4 of their first Test against Pakistan who find themselves in a commanding position. Join The Roar for live scores from 8pm (AEST).
England seem almost to be in a hopeless position, on a pitch that is only getting better for the bowlers as the match progresses, they will be chasing a score larger than their first innings having to bat last.
They struggled to maintain the Pakistan batting order on Day 1, with Misbah-ul-Haq finishing the day 110 not out, before being dismissed for 114. With assistance from Asad Shafiq who continued to prove his form in the second innings Pakistan would reach the above par score of 339.
England lacked penetration in their bowling and not having a front line spinner, with Moeen Ali doing the duties hurt them.
This became more evident during England’s first innings when Yasir Shah took 6 for 72 from 29 overs, dismantling the top order with only Alistair Cook (81) and Joe Root (48) able to provide any resistance.
Having to bat last on the wicket, England really needed a first innings lead but ended up being knocked over for an unconvincing 272 which was still 67 runs short of the mark.
Chris Woakes, after taking six wickets in the first innings now has five in the second and it could be argued is really the only reason England are still in the match.
Pakistan will resume on Day 4 already eight wickets down, but having scored 214 their lead is now up to 281 and even that looks like a daunting fourth innings chase, particularly given England’s top order capitulation against Sri Lanka, and again in the first innings.
Asad Shafiq anchored the second innings with Pakistan looking shaky and would be eventually dismissed for 49 after a strong partnership with Sarfraz Ahmed (45), with Yasir Shah ending the day’s play on 30 not out. Coming to the crease at 4 for 60 he plays a calm and controlled knock to give Pakistan their big lead going into Day 4.
Day 4 Prediction
Pakistan are well and truly on top of the match at this point, and it is hard to see them losing. I don’t expect them to add many more runs with the tail, and the match could well be over today pending on how the English batting order goes early on.
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