Pakistan v England 3rd Test, Sharjah, Nov 1-5

[Aidan11]

I was about to say we could do with getting Misbah out but as I type Samit gets Shafiq which will do.

[Aidan11]

Half the side out now. Can we skittle the rest out reasonably quickly?

[backfootpunch]

Samit looks like an inspired selection

[Making_Splinters]

Slightly worrying that our fourth choice spinner is out bowling our first choice spinner. This tour really has done nothing to promote Ali's long term chances.

[alfie]

Patel gets the fifth Shafiq gone without ever getting started.

Earned that. Neat catch standing up by Bairstow , who - so far - has looked pretty tidy behind the stumps.

England will be really pushing for one more now to expose that tail...

[backfootpunch]

Half the side out now. Can we skittle the rest out reasonably quickly?

I can't see the bowlers doing much on this

Get rashid on when they come in turning it both ways you could get some quick wickets

[backfootpunch]

Massive six from misbah

Was a big risk though as it was a good ball that spun quite a bit, could easily have gone straight up in the air

Rashid follows it with a ripper, was actually a very good over

[Aidan11]

Moeen coming back on.

[alfie]

Interesting passage of play : Sarfraz looking to attack ; England's loosest bowlers in Rashid and Stokes bowling...either more fast runs or a wicket coming ...

Moeen now ...scarcely less hittable So the action will continue...

[Aidan11]

Three spinners have bowled more than half the overs which has helped the over rate to be where they should be at tea.



Of course they should be better than par.

[Aidan11]

Oooh, nearly.

[Aidan11]

Quite a swift partnership this in the context of the innings.

[backfootpunch]

2 bits of luck for Pakistan

Sarfaraz skies one against rashid but it lands safely and misbah top edges a sweep just past the man at 45

[alfie]

Tea at 148/5

England would have wanted the one more - that they nearly got a couple of times. But on top : with the proviso that anything over 200 may yet turn out to be a decent score as this pitch is turning way too much for day one.
Really need to break this after tea and clean up the tail in short order.

Patel has done well. And the senior seamers have been outstanding.

[backfootpunch]

Babar is going to be a real threat on this wicket against our right handers