Pakistan spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali delivered crucial blows late on day three, leaving England's chase in disarray as they finished at 36-2 in pursuit of a 297-run target at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Thursday. The visitors now require 261 more runs to win the second Test, with two days of play remaining.

England openers Ben Duckett (0) and Zak Crawley (3) fell in quick succession, leaving their team reeling at 11-2 in just 11 overs. Duckett was bowled by Sajid for a two-ball duck, while Noman claimed Crawley. Joe Root (12*) and Ollie Pope (21*) steadied the ship as they took England to stumps unscathed.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan wrapped up England's first innings for 291, gaining a 75-run lead. Sajid was the star of Pakistan's bowling attack, claiming seven wickets for 111 runs, his second Test five-wicket haul. Noman contributed with figures of 3-101 as Pakistan restricted England after their overnight score of 239-6.

Pakistan's second innings saw Salman Ali Agha top-scoring with a resilient 63, guiding the team to 221 all out in 59.2 overs. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, crucial knocks from Saud Shakeel (31), Kamran Ghulam (26), and Mohammad Rizwan (23) ensured Pakistan set a challenging target for England. Salman’s 65-run ninth-wicket stand with Sajid (22) proved pivotal in extending the lead to 296.

England’s bowlers shared the spoils, with Shoaib Bashir leading the attack, claiming 4-66, while Jack Leach took three wickets. Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts contributed with two and one wickets, respectively.

Pakistan's Playing XI: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (C), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel (VC), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Zahid Mahmood.

England Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jamie Smith (wk), Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir