England’s cricketers are chasing victory in the third Test against Pakistan at Headingley, Leeds, with a target of 262 runs to win set by the hosts on day four. The match, which began on 22 June, saw England’s bowlers restrict Pakistan to 170 all out in their second innings, despite a resilient 56 from Azhar Ali. England’s top order then collapsed to 18-3 in their second innings, before captain Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow steadied the ship with a 132-run partnership. Stokes remained unbeaten on 85, with Bairstow scoring 61. The victory would give England an unassailable 3-0 lead in the four-match series, with the final Test scheduled for Emirates Old Trafford from 8-12 July.
England Push for Series Lead in Final Test
England took control of the third Test against Pakistan at Headingley, pushing for a series-leading 2-1 advantage. The hosts declared on 362-8, setting Pakistan a daunting target of 373 to win. Joe Root’s 142 and Jonny Bairstow’s 91 anchored England’s second innings.
Pakistan’s openers showed resistance, reaching 48 without loss at stumps on day three. The visitors face a monumental task to avoid a series defeat, needing 325 more runs on day four. England’s bowlers will aim to maintain pressure, with Stuart Broad and James Anderson leading the attack.
Root praised his team’s resilience after a challenging first innings collapse. “We showed great character to build a big total,” said the England captain. Pakistan’s Babar Azam acknowledged the difficulty of the target but remained hopeful.
The pitch offered variable bounce throughout the match, challenging both batsmen and bowlers. England’s spinners, Jack Leach and Moeen Ali, played crucial roles in the first innings. Pakistan’s bowling attack struggled to contain England’s second innings batting.
Weather could play a factor on the final day, with rain possible in Leeds. A draw would leave the series level at 1-1, setting up a decider in the fourth Test. England aim to secure their first series win over Pakistan since 2010.
Pakistan Fight to Save Test Series
England stands on the brink of a historic series victory in the third Test against Pakistan at the National Stadium in Karachi. The visitors, leading 2-0, need just eight wickets to secure an unprecedented third consecutive Test series win in Pakistan.
Play was halted early on day four due to bad light, with England resuming at 265-2 in their second innings, trailing by 229 runs. Captain Ben Stokes declared shortly after, setting Pakistan a target of 354 to win.
England’s bowlers made early inroads, reducing Pakistan to 56-3 at lunch. Skipper Babar Azam and Saud Shakeel resisted, adding 63 runs for the fourth wicket before Shakeel was dismissed for 35.
Babar Azam, Pakistan’s last recognized batter, remains at the crease on 38. The hosts need another 297 runs to win, with seven wickets in hand. England’s pace trio of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, and Ollie Robinson have shared all ten wickets to fall so far.
The match is set to resume later today, with England eyeing a series whitewash and Pakistan fighting to save the Test.
England's Bowlers Strike Early on Day Three
England’s bowlers made an early impact on day three of the third Test against Pakistan at Headingley. Stuart Broad struck twice in his first two overs, removing Imam-ul-Haq and Azhar Ali to leave Pakistan reeling at 14-2.
The hosts continued to apply pressure, with Chris Woakes dismissing Babar Azam for 18. Pakistan’s innings never gained momentum, folding for 170 in their second innings, giving England a target of 269 to win.
England’s openers, Rory Burns and Dominic Sibley, began cautiously but steadily. Burns reached his half-century before lunch, providing a solid foundation for the chase. At stumps, England were 114-2, requiring a further 155 runs to secure victory.
Captain Joe Root contributed 19 runs before falling to Shaheen Afridi. Despite the loss, England remain in a strong position heading into day four. Pakistan’s bowlers will need a miraculous spell to prevent an English victory.
The decisive moment came when Broad removed Azhar Ali with a delivery that nipped back off the seam. The ball hit the batsman’s front pad, and umpire Richard Illingworth had no hesitation in raising the finger. Pakistan’s hopes of a competitive total evaporated quickly after that dismissal.
Pakistan's Middle Order Holds Firm Against England's Attack
England’s pursuit of victory in the third Test against Pakistan faced stiff resistance from the home side’s middle order at the National Stadium in Karachi. The hosts, following on after being dismissed for 191 in the first innings, reached 112 for 2 at stumps on day three, still trailing by 175 runs.
England’s bowlers, who had dominated the first two days, found the Pakistani batsmen more resilient in the lower order. Azhar Ali and Babar Azam steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership before Azhar was dismissed for 32.
Babar Azam, the Pakistani captain, played a crucial role in the fightback. He scored 42 runs before being caught by Ollie Pope off the bowling of Stuart Broad. The England pace bowler finished the day with figures of 2 for 32.
England’s lead was built on the back of a strong bowling performance on day two. James Anderson and Stuart Broad took three wickets each to dismiss Pakistan for 191. Joe Root, the England captain, praised his bowlers’ efforts.
“Our bowlers have done a fantastic job so far,” Root said at the end of day two. “They’ve applied pressure and taken crucial wickets. But we know Pakistan is a strong team, and we need to keep pushing.”
Pakistan’s middle order, however, showed great determination on day three. Mohammad Rizwan and Fawad Alam batted defensively, frustrating the English bowlers. Rizwan was unbeaten on 31, while Alam scored 24 before being dismissed by Chris Woakes.
The match is evenly poised, with England leading by 175 runs. The visitors will look to take quick wickets on day four to press for victory. Pakistan, meanwhile, will aim to bat deep and save the Test.
Final Test Decider Sees England and Pakistan Battle for Supremacy
England and Pakistan are set for a thrilling finale in the third Test at Headingley, with the series poised at 1-1. The outcome hinges on England’s ability to chase down 266 runs on the final day, a task that has historically proven challenging.
England resumed play on day five at 107-3, requiring another 159 runs to secure victory. Joe Root, the captain, and Jonny Bairstow, the wicketkeeper-batter, will be key to their chances. Both have shown resilience and skill throughout the series.
Pakistan, meanwhile, will rely on their bowling attack to defend the target. Shaheen Afridi, the left-arm fast bowler, has been particularly impressive, taking 14 wickets in the series so far. His ability to swing the ball and extract bounce from the pitch will be crucial.
The pitch at Headingley has offered assistance to both batters and bowlers throughout the match. However, the wear and tear of four days of play may favour the spinners in the final session.
England’s batting lineup has shown vulnerability against short-pitched bowling. Pakistan’s fast bowlers, including Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, will look to exploit this weakness. The English batters must demonstrate patience and technique to counter this threat.
The weather forecast for the final day is favourable, with no interruptions expected. This sets the stage for an uninterrupted contest between bat and ball.
The result of this match will determine the winner of the three-match series. Both teams have shown glimpses of brilliance, making the outcome unpredictable. Cricket fans can expect an enthralling conclusion to this high-stakes encounter.
England’s victory in the third Test against Pakistan at Headingley has levelled the series at 1-1. Joe Root’s century and a dominant bowling performance from the home side secured a 144-run win. The series now heads to Manchester for the final Test, where both teams will aim to claim the series lead. This match also marked the return of fans to English Test cricket, with the government’s pilot event allowing 2,500 spectators into the ground. The final Test begins on Friday, with England looking to build on their momentum and Pakistan seeking redemption.
