Sajid Khan’s brilliant six-wicket haul put Pakistan in a strong position on the opening day of the third Test against England at Rawalpindi. The ace spinner’s performance saw England bowled out for 267 runs, leaving Pakistan trailing by 194 at 73/3 by stumps. Khan’s impressive figures of 6/128 marked his third five-wicket haul in Test cricket, demonstrating his dominance on a spin-friendly Rawalpindi pitch.

Sajid Khan’s Impactful Spell

Utilizing the new ball, Sajid Khan ran through England’s lineup, capitalizing on the turning conditions to send England’s middle order packing. England collapsed from a solid 56/0 to a precarious 118/6, with Khan at the forefront of the attack. His crafty variations and unerring accuracy made it challenging for England’s batters to establish partnerships. Notably, Khan’s standout figures placed him among the top performers at Rawalpindi, adding him to an elite list alongside spinners like Mushtaq Ahmed.

Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson’s Resilience

While England’s batting struggled against Sajid, Jamie Smith (89) and Gus Atkinson (39) provided resistance with a 105-run stand. Their partnership helped England reach a respectable total after being on the brink of collapse. Smith’s composed 89 and Atkinson’s aggressive 39 stabilized England’s innings, setting a modest but competitive target for Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Cautious Start and England’s Counterattack

In response, Pakistan’s openers began steadily, but England’s spinners quickly struck back. Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, and Saim Ayub were dismissed early, leaving Pakistan at 73/3. Jack Leach led England’s attack, utilizing the same pitch conditions that had favored Sajid Khan.

Second Day Outlook

With both teams deploying multiple spinners on a pitch continuing to support turn, Day 2 promises to be another spin-dominated battle. Sajid Khan noted the impact of the new ball for spinners and shared his hopes that Pakistan’s middle order could stabilize and bridge the deficit. The outcome of this thrilling Test hangs in the balance, as both sides aim to capitalize on the spin-friendly conditions in Rawalpindi.