Ganesh Kendale
Pakistan have given themselves the best chance in recent times of beating a top side in Test cricket after they set England a daunting target of 297 to win in the second match of the series in Multan on day three.
A 65-run stand for the ninth wicket between Agha Salman (63) and Sajid Khan (22) bailed Pakistan out of trouble in their second innings, after they had slipped to 156 for 8.
The hosts were eventually bowled out for 221 to add to their first-innings lead of 75 runs and set England the task of achieving the biggest chase in the fourth innings to win a Test match in Pakistan.
But before that partnership between Salman and Sajid, a hilarious banter was caught on stump microphone between Salman and Noman Ali.
After Noman played a shot for a single off his hips to deep square leg, Salman asked him “did you play it?”
“Khud hi maari hai na yeh (you played it)?” Salman asked Noman.
“Haan, haan! Poora tere bhai ne Lara wala. Dekha nahi? Yeh dekh (yes, just like Brian Lara, didn’t you see it?)” replied Noman, possibly pointing his partner towards the giant screen to look at the replay, which left a beaming smile on Salman’s face.
Coming back to the current state of the match, England had lost their openers Zak Crawley (3) and first-innings centurion Ben Duckett (0) cheaply before close of play on the third day.
Ollie Pope (21*) and Joe Root (12*) were at the crease with the visitors’ total reading 36 for 2, still 261 runs away from the target.
England lead the series 1-0.
