England Pakistan Test Series
Third Test Played at Ageas Bowl Southampton (Aug 21 -25, 2020)
England 332/4 in 90 Overs (Z Crawley 171*, JC Buttler 87*, JC Root 29, D Sibley 22, Yasir Shah 2/107, Nasim Shah 1/66, Shahin Shah 1/71 )
England Won The Toss and Elected to Bat
On a sun shining Ageas Bowl at Southampton chiseling Crawley and Brave Buttler batting brilliantly (unbroken 205 runs 5th wicket partnership) put England firm in front at stumps of day of the third test. Pakistan in a do or die situation desperately required winning the test and squaring the series.
Pakistan is trailing (0-1) in the series having squandered the opportunity for winning the first test at Old Trafford. At sumps England looked in complete command at 332/4. Another 100 or so will completely throw Pakistan out of the series. Even a draw would be enough for the home team winning the series. Playing a brilliant unbeaten innings of 171 not out (his first test century) Z Crawley possibly solved a top order batting headache for England. Buttler coming back to his own also reinvented batting depth. England finishing the day 332/4 looks to be firmly in front, Pakistan will have to do something extraordinary on the morning of day two. England reaching 400 or more will bat Pakistan out of the test and the series.
It was a good toss to win for Joe Root. After a while sun shined through out the day making possible entire 90 overs. There was some early movement. Otherwise the prodigious seam movement or swing seen in the previous match on the same wicket last week were mostly gone. Shahin removed struggling Burns cheaply again. Shible looked struggling. Nasim and Yasir making inroads pushed England back on the rope one hour past lunch reducing them to 127/4.
Crwaleywas at his fluent best though playing some glorious strokes. Another wicket at that stage could open the flood gate. But Crawley and Buttler batting brilliantly snatched the initiative out of Pakistan. At some stage Pakistan bowling and fielding looked ragged .Pakistan under pressure looked a genuine 5th bowler short. After all bowlers win you matches. Pakistan should have appeared with five genuine bowlers.
BDST: 1200 HRS, AUG 22, 2020
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