Pakistan’s reply was strong as England captain Babar Azam became the seventh batsman to score a century in the Rawalpindi Test. Babar brought up his century off just 126 balls as Pakistan reduced the deficit to 247 by tea on the third day.

Babar Azam’s ton perfectly complemented the hundreds

Babar’s ton perfectly complemented the hundreds by Pakistan’s openers earlier in the day. Imam-ul-Haq (121) and Abdullah Shafiq (114) both converted their overnight innings into their third Test hundreds, each sharing a 225-run partnership to lead Pakistan to a strong reply to England’s mammoth 657. in the second half of the extended morning session before Babar and Saud Shakeel shared an unbeaten 121-run stand for the fourth wicket.

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The two took opposite approaches, with the captain apparently trying to claw his way back to England after quick attacks. Shakeel’s persistence at the other end helped Babar ease into his innings after Azhar Ali was dismissed for just 27, ending a 45-run partnership.

Babar started cautiously to bring up his fifty against Leach with a six and a four

Babar had made an impression with a punched boundary through midwicket off Jack Leach and had established himself well when Ali was trapped lbw before lunch. After the break, Babar started off cautiously to bring up his half-century against Leach with a six and a four. On a pitch that still didn’t offer much to the bowlers.

Babar went on cruise control for the rest of the session, piling up the runs at a steady clip before reaching his eighth Test ton with two fours in Ben Stokes’ over. Pakistan soon crossed 400. Pakistan went through the second session without losing a wicket, negating England’s efforts late in the first session.

Joe Root started the day with a first-ball bouncer but both the openers, who remained unbeaten overnight. They were careful not to miss their shot past the triple-figure mark. With a massive slog over deep midwicket off Root, Shafiq broke the shackles before taking one next ball to reach the milestone to reach 99 after the first few overs.