ENG v PAK, 4th Test Day 3 Review: Pakistan in the driving seat

While Day 2 of the ENG v PAK Test match saw Pakistan take the initiative that would propel them to victory, their performance on Day 4 ensured that most would certainly take them seriously when it comes to their charge to victory. Following Asad Shafiq was the irresistible Younis Khan who went on to claim a double century, something that neither he nor most of his teammates were certainly expecting.

The day began with Younis Khan on the brink of a century. Although he was batting with the tail, it was clear that he would put enough trust and faith in them in order to complete his double. First, Younis reached his century. with Sarfraz Ahmed keeping him company at the other end.

Sarfraz made an impact with the bat as he began to score quick runs, something that he certainly is well versed in. While Sarfraz was giving the Oval crowd something to cheer, his partner Younis Khan was making an important contribution as the visitors seemed destined to take a lead in excess of the 200-run margin.

The first milestone Younis Khan reached on the day was yet another Test ton, something that he has become almost perfect in doing, especially given the young squad. Moreover, the fact that the Pakistanis were in a zone of safety, Younis was given the green light to push on and attempt to score as many runs as he could.

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In spite of losing Sarfraz, Younis continued to push on. He was joined by Mohammad Amir. The southpaw also seemed to be crystal clear on scoring as many runs as possible. Sure enough, shortly after the tea interval, Younis reached a supremely deserved century as the visitors piled on the runs to score a massive 542 in the first innings. At this juncture, they were on a massive lead of 214 run lead.

England came out to bat late in the day with the prospect of chasing down the 214 runs and going about setting a target for their visitors with almost two days left to play. However, disaster struck early on in the England innings as they lost Alastair Cook in the early part of their innings. Once again, it was the big bad wolf Wahab Riaz who got the breakthrough as England felt perhaps for the first time in the match that they would have to play out of their skin to save this particular Test match.

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However, while the Brits thought that the Pakistan onslaught would not continue, it was clear that the Pakistanis were in no mood to give up just yet. This time, it was one of their old heroes who made the difference. Yasir Shah, who had seemingly disappeared after the first Test at Lords was back. He quickly removed Alex Hales and James Vince as the two right-handed batsmen were well and truly beaten by the flight. Joe Root struck some resistance before he too was dismissed soon after for a well-made 39. The day closed with the Brits on 88/4, 126 runs adrift of the Pakistan total.

Watch: Younis Khan’s double century:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYmzN6C9mHw

Brief Scores:

England, 1st innings: 328 all out

Pakistan, 1st innings: 542 all out (Younis 218; C Woakes 3/82)

England, 2nd innings: 88/4 (J Root 39; Yasir 3/15)

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