Stumps: Pakistan 146 for three, lead by 74 runs
Younis Khan’s decision, with three overs to go, to leave a ball from Stuart Broad that nipped back at him off the pitch breathed life into England’s flagging hopes.
It cannoned into his front pad and he was out lbw, leaving Pakistan on 146 for three, 74 ahead.
The hosts will still believe they hold the advantage, as their lead creeps up and with England having to bat last on a deteriorating pitch.
Mohammed Hafeez, who led Pakistan’s bold top order resistance against more fine bowling from Broad and James Anderson, will start the fourth day requiring three more for his century.
Tea: Pakistan 58 for no loss, trail by 14 runs
Pakistan’s openers went a long way to erasing the first innings deficit, as they put on an unbroken half-century stand in the afternoon session.
Mohammed Hafeez and Azhar Ali survived a couple of scares to reach tea together, after England were bowled out for England 306.
The sense that every little is going to help towards the away side’s victory effort was born out in the fact Ben Stokes came out to bat at No 11.
The all-rounder was severely incapacitated by the collar bone injury he suffered on the opening day, and will not field or bowl again in this Test.
He was last out, bowled by Shoaib Malik for a duck, but at least managed to share in a 10 run partnership with Stuart Broad, as England’s first innings lead crept to 72.
Lunch: England 285 for seven, lead by 51 runs
After James Taylor departed early in the morning session, Samit Patel took up the slack - as well as the theme about making the most of second chances.
Like Taylor, who edged behind of Rahat Ali on 76, Patel had been out of the reckoning for England’s Test side for some time.
He tends to only get a chance when England play in Asia. The desire for a third spinner landed him a place in the XI for this match in Sharjah, but he batting is of at least equal value to his slow-left arm orthodox bowling.
He was in prime touch, first in combating Zulfiqar Babar’s spin, then against a bouncer barrage from Wahab Riaz.
Patel reached the lunch interval on 41 not out, as England edged past Pakistan’s first innings total.
The hosts will be pleased with their morning’s work, though, after picking up the wickets of Taylor, Jonny Bairstow and Adil Rashid, to a superb catch close in on the legside by Azhar Ali off Shoaib Malik on the brink of the break.
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