Hosts Pakistan make swift in-roads into England’s second innings total of 335

Pakistan have made a brisk start in their attempt to chase down 355 and take this series to a decider in Karachi next week, reaching lunch on the third morning on 64 without loss.

Abdullah Shafique, who launched Jack Leach for a straight six, had 34, while Mohammad Rizwan – opening in place of Imam-ul-Haq, who had gone to hospital for a scan on an injured hamstring – was on 28, as Pakistan set about chasing what would be the highest successful pursuit in a Test in this country.

England might have taken the game out of sight as Harry Brook, who completed his second century of the series, and Ben Stokes advanced their overnight 202 for five to 256, a lead of 335.

But England’s commitment to attack meant they lost their last five wickets for 19, starting with Stokes, who had 41 when he slog-swept the left-arm spin of Mohammad Nawaz to deep square leg, where Mohammad Ali judged a running catch superbly.

The ended a stand of 101 which had appeared to give England complete control. But Pakistan kept chipping away.

Ollie Robinson charged at Abrar Ahmed and lost his leg stump, an 11th wicket for the debutant spinner. Then Mark Wood prodded Zahid Mahmood to slip to depart for six.

The hosts were looking to ensure England did not put the series beyond doubt in chasing down the mammoth fourth innings score

While Brook was still there, England fancied their chances of setting 400. But he heaved Mahmood to Saud Shakeel on the leg-side boundary to depart for 108, and the collapse was complete when Jimmy Anderson missed a sweep against Mahmood after reverse-sweeping his first ball for four.

The flurry of activity still meant Pakistan needed 40 more than any team had made in the fourth innings to win a Test in this country – their own 315 for nine against Australia at Karachi in 1994-95.

But it gave them perhaps a little heart where none might have existed, and their openers made a positive start against Jack Leach and Joe Root.

Jimmy Anderson dismissed Rizwan shortly after the break to potentially set up a famous England win 

Pakistan’s 50 came up inside 12 overs, and even England’s one potential breakthrough was quickly chalked off: Marais Erasmus upheld Wood’s lbw shout against Rizwan on 25, but replays showed a big edge. Then, in the last over of the morning, Shafique top-edged Wood for six.

There are still eight sessions left in this game, so time is not an issue, and the pitch is no minefield – even if it has offered more throughout than Rawalpindi did on the fifth day.

Pakistan will still need to go some if they are going to pull this off. But they have made a good start, and this series has been nothing if not full of twists and turns.