Leg Spinner England Rehan Ahmed picked five wickets on his Test debut to put the team on course for a comfortable win in the third and final Test against Pakistan in Karachi on Monday.
With two playing days remaining, England need 55 points to win the Test and become the first Test team to complete a 3-0 blanking in Pakistan, having won the first two Tests in Rawalpindi and Multan.
Ahmed’s spin bowling proved to be the game-changer for Ben Stokes’ side as wickets tumbled in clusters at the National Stadium.
The 18-year-old became the youngest debutant in Men’s Test history to take a five for, breaking the record held by Australian Pat Cummins.
After scoring 304 in the first leg, Pakistan were knocked out for 216 in the second, setting England a goal of 167. The visitors scored 354 in their first leg.
Zak Crawley (41) and Ben Duckett (50 not knocked out) got off to a good start for England in their pursuit and the visitors will start Matchday 4 at 112-2, with Stokes (10) also in the crease.
Earlier, spinner Jack Leach took three premier wickets from six in the morning session before Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel sealed a 110-run partnership to keep Pakistan in the competition.
But Stokes then introduced Ahmed in the afternoon session and the youngster tore through Pakistan’s middle order.
Resuming overnight 21-0, trailing 29 points, Pakistan lost opener Shan Masood for 24 while Azhar Ali was out for a duck in his last Test appearance.
Leach then trapped Abdullah Shafique (26) lbw for his third wicket as the hosts, playing for pride in front of their home crowd, looked desperate for a turnover.
Babar and Saud’s half-centuries breathed life into Pakistan’s fight, but Ahmed derailed their revival with three vital wickets.
The 18-year-old got his biggest scalp when Babar was caught by Ollie Pope in the middle of the wicket and Ahmed then pulled Mohammad Rizwan off with a perfect leg delivery.
Saud was Ahmed’s third victim before Mohammad Wasim was added to the list as the youngster was cheered on by his father, who beamed with delight in the stands.
Ahmed completed his five-wicket run by knocking out Agha Salman, leading the England side off the pitch as he tossed the ball up and down his hands in celebration.
Joe Root and Mark Wood were also among the wicket takers.
With two playing days remaining, England need 55 points to win the Test and become the first Test team to complete a 3-0 blanking in Pakistan, having won the first two Tests in Rawalpindi and Multan.
Ahmed’s spin bowling proved to be the game-changer for Ben Stokes’ side as wickets tumbled in clusters at the National Stadium.
The 18-year-old became the youngest debutant in Men’s Test history to take a five for, breaking the record held by Australian Pat Cummins.
After scoring 304 in the first leg, Pakistan were knocked out for 216 in the second, setting England a goal of 167. The visitors scored 354 in their first leg.
Zak Crawley (41) and Ben Duckett (50 not knocked out) got off to a good start for England in their pursuit and the visitors will start Matchday 4 at 112-2, with Stokes (10) also in the crease.
Earlier, spinner Jack Leach took three premier wickets from six in the morning session before Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel sealed a 110-run partnership to keep Pakistan in the competition.
But Stokes then introduced Ahmed in the afternoon session and the youngster tore through Pakistan’s middle order.
Resuming overnight 21-0, trailing 29 points, Pakistan lost opener Shan Masood for 24 while Azhar Ali was out for a duck in his last Test appearance.
Leach then trapped Abdullah Shafique (26) lbw for his third wicket as the hosts, playing for pride in front of their home crowd, looked desperate for a turnover.
Babar and Saud’s half-centuries breathed life into Pakistan’s fight, but Ahmed derailed their revival with three vital wickets.
The 18-year-old got his biggest scalp when Babar was caught by Ollie Pope in the middle of the wicket and Ahmed then pulled Mohammad Rizwan off with a perfect leg delivery.
Saud was Ahmed’s third victim before Mohammad Wasim was added to the list as the youngster was cheered on by his father, who beamed with delight in the stands.
Ahmed completed his five-wicket run by knocking out Agha Salman, leading the England side off the pitch as he tossed the ball up and down his hands in celebration.
Joe Root and Mark Wood were also among the wicket takers.
