The opening day of the highly anticipated Pak vs Eng 2024 3rd Test Day 1 series in Rawalpindi saw England take control, setting a competitive total of 267, followed by a strong response with the ball. Pakistan found themselves in trouble, ending Day 1 at 73 for 3, trailing by 194 runs.
England’s First Innings: Smith Shines with a Crucial 89
After winning the toss in Pak vs Eng 2024 3rd Test Day 1 , England opted to bat on a pitch that had everyone guessing. The unpredictable nature of Rawalpindi’s surface saw some variable bounce, which both teams found challenging. England’s decision to bat first was validated by a crucial knock from Jamie Smith, who scored a gritty 89, helping England recover from a precarious 118 for 6.
Smith’s calm and composed approach was essential in building partnerships, especially with Gus Atkinson, who contributed a vital 39 runs. Their partnership of 107 for the seventh wicket steered England towards a decent total. While Ben Duckett’s 52 at the top of the order gave England a solid start, it was Smith’s innings that made the difference. His determination against Pakistan’s spin attack, led by Sajid Khan, allowed England to post a score they could defend.
Sajid Khan’s Spin Masterclass
Sajid Khan was once again the standout performer for Pakistan in Pak vs Eng 2024 3rd Test Day 1 , continuing his excellent form from the series. His figures of 6 for 128 from 29.2 overs highlight his dominance on a surface that offered turn and bounce. This was Sajid’s third five-wicket haul in Test cricket, and his second of the series. His early strikes put England on the back foot, but he couldn’t prevent Smith and Atkinson from guiding England to a competitive score.
Noman Ali provided excellent support with his left-arm spin, taking 3 for 88. Together, Sajid and Noman bowled 57 of the 68.2 overs, exploiting the conditions to keep England’s batters under constant pressure. Their relentless bowling made sure England couldn’t cross the 300 mark, but the score was still respectable on a tricky surface.
England’s Middle-Order Collapse
After a solid start in Pak vs Eng 2024 3rd Test Day 1 from Duckett and Zak Crawley, who put up 56 for the first wicket, England’s middle order collapsed. Pakistan’s spinners came into play as Sajid Khan removed key players, including captain Ben Stokes and Harry Brook. The score quickly shifted from 56 for 0 to 98 for 5, as England’s batters struggled to cope with the turning ball.
Duckett’s 52 was a well-made knock, but he lacked support from the rest of the top order. It was only when Smith and Atkinson came together that England began to stabilize. Their partnership not only revived the innings but also frustrated the Pakistani bowlers, who had England on the ropes before that stand.
Pakistan’s Response: Early Wickets Tumble
In response, Pakistan’s batters faced immediate pressure from England’s bowlers. Abdullah Shafique (35) and Saim Ayub (16) put on a steady opening stand, but both openers fell in quick succession. Shafique was trapped leg-before by Bashir, while Ayub was caught at midwicket off Jack Leach’s bowling.
The collapse continued as Kamran Ghulan, Pakistan’s promising young batter, was dismissed for just 3, bowled by Gus Atkinson. By stumps, Pakistan had slumped to 73 for 3, with Shan Masood (16*) and Saud Shakeel (16*) left to rebuild on Day 2.
Key Takeaways from Day 1 of the Pak vs Eng 2024 3rd Test Day 1:
- Jamie Smith’s resilience was key to England reaching 267, as his 89 allowed them to post a competitive total.
- Sajid Khan dominated with 6 wickets, continuing his fine form throughout the series, while Noman Ali provided crucial support.
- Pakistan’s top-order struggles were evident once again, as they ended the day at 73 for 3, trailing by 194 runs.
- England’s bowlers, especially Jack Leach and Gus Atkinson, made early inroads, setting the stage for a tough Day 2 for Pakistan.
As Pak vs Eng 2024 3rd Test Day 1 comes to a close, Pakistan faces a challenging task of fighting back on Day 2 to prevent England from taking full control of the match. With the pitch continuing to offer assistance to the bowlers, Pakistan’s batters will need to dig deep to avoid falling further behind in this decisive Test.
Full score card at ESPN.
