Multan, October 17 – Pakistan closed in on a potential series-levelling victory over England, thanks to a stellar performance by spinner Sajid Khan on Day 3 of the second Test. Chasing a stiff target of 297, England ended the day at 36-2, with Pakistan’s bowlers striking early on a challenging surface.

Sajid gave Pakistan the perfect start by dismissing opener Ben Duckett for a duck, while Noman Ali sent Zak Crawley back for just three runs. England’s Ollie Pope (21not out) and Joe Root (12 not out) remained unbeaten at the close, with 261 runs still needed for victory and two days left to play.

Earlier, Pakistan’s middle-order batsman Salman Agha led a crucial recovery. His 63-run knock, combined with Sajid’s handy 22, pulled Pakistan out of trouble after they stumbled to 134-5. The pair added a vital 65-run ninth-wicket stand, helping Pakistan reach 221 in their second innings.

England’s spinners had looked in control, with Shoaib Bashir taking 4-66 and Jack Leach claiming 3-67, but costly fielding errors proved pivotal. Agha was dropped twice, on four and six, allowing him to rebuild Pakistan’s innings. Brydon Carse (2-29) eventually dismissed Agha, while Matthew Potts removed Sajid to end Pakistan’s innings.

In the first innings, Pakistan posted 366, but Sajid Khan’s earlier brilliance with the ball put the hosts in a commanding position. Sajid’s 7-111 bundled England out for 291 on a turning pitch, marking his second five-wicket haul. The pitch, reused from the first Test, posed a tougher challenge this time.

After an innings defeat in the first Test, also held in Multan, Pakistan now stand on the verge of levelling the three-match series with a strong bowling performance heading into day 4.