Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel have put Pakistan on course for a useful total as their third-wicket stand of 56 reduced the overnight arrears to 174 after spinner Abrar Ahmed claimed 7-114 on his remarkable Test debut.
Early, England was all out for 281 in their first innings after electing to bat on the opening day of the second Test against Pakistan in Multan on Friday.
Ben Duckett (63) and Ollie Pope (60) scored breezy half-centuries for the touring side who are 1-0 up in the three-Test series.
For Pakistan, spinner Abrar Ahmed claimed 7-114 on his remarkable Test debut.
This. Is. Special. ????#PAKvENG | #UKSePK pic.twitter.com/ExgHlMfrxY
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 9, 2022
The 24-year-old — nicknamed “Harry Potter” by friends because he wears glasses similar to those of the fictional boy wizard — spun magic of his own after England decided to bat on a turning pitch.
Ahmed became the 13th Pakistan bowler to take five or more wickets in an innings on debut.
At the break, Ben Stokes and Will Jacks were at the crease with 14 and zero respectively after the first session was extended for Friday prayers.
It was in complete contrast to the first Test, when England smashed 174-0 by lunch on the opening day.
2️⃣2️⃣ overs
1️⃣1️⃣4️⃣ runs
7️⃣ wicketsMan of the moment Abrar Ahmed! ✨#PAKvENG | #UKSePK pic.twitter.com/zLaPtG5unr
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 9, 2022
Pakistan, aiming to level the series after losing the first Test by 74 runs, included three spinners in the line-up after paceman Naseem Shah was ruled out with a shoulder injury.
Despite losing wickets regularly, England scored at a brisk pace, with Duckett knocking nine boundaries and a six and Pope cracking five to the rope.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam employed spin as early as in the ninth over, and Ahmed bowled Crawley with a sharp incoming delivery with his fifth Test ball.
He then trapped Duckett and Root leg-before — both given out only after Azam reviewed the on-field calls.
England, who won the opening match in Rawalpindi by 74 runs, are on their first Test tour of Pakistan since 2005.
Teams:
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Will Jacks, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, Mark Wood, James Anderson
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (captain), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Zahid Mahmood, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Ali
