England’s immediate objective will be to add as many runs as possible with Gus Atkinson unbeaten on 34 and Josh Tongue on one. Pakistan, meanwhile, will want to wrap up the innings quickly and put their batsmen into what could be their most important innings of the series.
Mohammad Abbas has already done much of the damage. The experienced seamer finished with 4/56, including the wickets of Emilio Gay, Ben Duckett and England captain Joe Root in a superb opening spell. He also reached the landmark of 900 first-class wickets during the day. Mohammad Ali provided excellent support with 3/67.
Pakistan’s bowlers repeatedly found movement from a surface that offered assistance under cloudy conditions. England were reduced to 36/3 and then 80/4 before Jordan Cox and Jamie Smith launched a determined recovery.
Cox’s 55 was arguably the most important innings of the day. He absorbed pressure for long periods before forming a 67-run partnership with Smith, who produced a more aggressive 61 off 80 balls. Their efforts dragged England away from the prospect of being bowled out for a below-par total.
Atkinson’s late counter-attack then pushed England towards 250, leaving the visitors with one final wicket to claim when play resumes.
