The China Mail - Pakistan tottering at 43-3 in England Test after Bashir takes three

Pakistan led by 118 runs at the interval on day three after scoring 366 in their first innings.

Sajid Khan took 7-111, his second five-wicket haul, to dismiss England on a Multan stadium pitch -- also used in the first Test -- that started to offer sharp turn to the spinners.

Off-spinner then Bashir removed Abdullah Shafique (four), Shan Masood (11) and Saim Ayub (22) and had figures of 3-27.

Abdullah edged a turning Bashir delivery to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith with England successfully overturning a not-out decision on review.

Captain Masood then edged to slip off the same bowler.

In the last over before lunch, Bashir had opener Ayub caught in the slip, leaving first-innings centurion Kamran Ghulam unbeaten on five at the crease.

The morning session belonged to off-spinner Sajid.

The 31-year-old took three of the four wickets to fall after England had resumed at 239-6.

Left-arm spinner Noman Ali was the only other Pakistan wicket-taker, finishing with figures of 3-101.

England added nine runs to their overnight score before Sajid struck in the fourth over of the morning, Brydon Carse caught at long-on for four.

In his next over, Sajid bowled Matthew Potts, who made six, off a sharply turning delivery.

Noman took his 50th Test wicket when he removed Smith, caught at mid-off by Ayub for 21.

Last pair Bashir and Jack Leach hung around to add 29 before Sajid had Bashir caught at short mid-wicket for nine to end the innings.

Leach was 25 not out having hit three fours.

England lead the three-match series 1-0 following their innings and 47 run victory in the first Test.

R.Yeung--ThChM