Mohammad Yousuf's 14th Test hundred and Kamran Akmal's career-best second ton carried the final Test away from England, putting Pakistan in sight of a series triumph. Their unbroken record-breaking stand of 199 means they are now assured of at least the draw they need and can now push for the win that would complete a memorable success.
Yousuf and Akmal produced contrasting innings and such was their dominance and lasting presence in the middle that Inzamam-ul-Haq wasn't required to test his injured wrist. Yousuf's bat grew broader and broader with every over, and he is now in sight of his third double century. He had to be at his most determined to fend off another period of hostile quick bowling from Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff, but for every bouncer he received there was a well-timed drive or clip around the corner.
In many ways, though, Akmal's innings will have been the most pleasing for Bob Woolmer. Yousuf's qualities are not in doubt but the length of Pakistan's tail has been a weakness. Akmal, who has already pouched two brilliant catches in the Test, showed he has the ability to develop into the counter-attacking wicketkeeper that all teams crave.
He took the game by the scruff of the neck from the moment Michael Vaughan opted for the second new ball, by thrashing a succession of half volleys from Matthew Hoggard through the off side. He only offered one fleeting chance; a difficult catch to Marcus Trescothick at a wide slip when he was on 95. He was not to be denied his second ton, reaching the mark with a cracking cover drive - his ninth four in 178 balls. It was the first time he had passed fifty since his first hundred, the match-saving century against India in Mohali, and it was a promising sign that he again converted into three figures.
From the start of play Yousuf was content to work the gaps, keeping the ball along the ground, but reached his century in grand manner with a thumping straight six off Shaun Udal. Apart from his let-off yesterday on 16 it was a faultless innings from Yousuf who had to contend with Harmison at his best and the added pressure of Inzamam's injury. His cover-and straight-driving was a trademark and once past 150 he expanded his strokeplay against a tiring attack, but still without taking excessive risks. The stand broke the previous record in England-Pakistan Tests of 145 by Mushtaq Mohammad and Intikhab Alam at Hyderabad in 1972-73.
No blame can be placed at the feet of Harmison and Flintoff, who again produced unstinting efforts. However, such was the authority with which the sixth-wicket pair batted that whatever Vaughan threw at them they responded with calm, collected resistance. For the first time in recent years Vaughan began to look slightly lost. The lack of a wicket-taking spinner was highlighted with Udal conceding nearly five an over, meaning Vaughan had to constantly return to his quicks. One heartening aspect of the day for a weary England side was the performance of Liam Plunkett. He produced a highly promising spell and maintained his stamia, managing to trouble both batsmen towards the end of the day.
Pakistan now have such a stranglehold on the match that it is easy to forget that the day started with England retaining hopes of a slender first innings advantage. That notion was quickly dashed by Shoaib Ahtkar's determined career-best knock. He weathered a barrage of bouncers and grew in confidence. A fierce cover drive off Harmison and a slog-sweep for six off Udal pushed the score along and ate into England's narrowing advantage. By the time he fell to Plunkett he had more than done his job in paving the way for Pakistan to build a commanding lead.
The confidence within the Pakistan ranks has been evident since their heist at Multan and it positively surged out of Yousuf and Akmal. Thanks to a thrilling stand by a combination of youth and experience the major series win Pakistan have been chasing is now within their grasp.
How they were out
Pakistan
Shoaib Malik c Plunkett b Hoggard 0 (0 for 1) Push-drive to midwicket
Asim Kamal lbw b Hoggard 5 (12 for 2) Trapped by an inswinger
Salman Butt c G Jones b Plunkett 28 (68 for 3) Thin edge to a loose drive
Hasan Raza c Flintoff b Harmison 21 (180 for 4) Thick-edged drive to wide third slip position
Shoaib Akhtar c Udal b Plunkett 38 (247 for 5) Spooned a drive to cover
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Mohammad Yousuf made England pay for dropping him on 16 to hold Pakistan together after the second day had threatened to become a procession of batsmen back to the pavilion. His composed knock helped restore the innings around after Matthew Hoggard struck two early blows. Prior to Yousuf's effort the day had been dominated by the bowlers with England's last four wickets folding for 40 runs, including Paul Collingwood for 96.
England's under par 288 quickly became more imposing when Pakistan slipped to 12 for 2. But Yousuf and Inzamam-ul-Haq, who were highlighted as the key to Pakistan's batting in this Test, countered England's aggression with their own. They represent the main core of the batting, which is surrounded by a clutch of inexperienced players, and the way they constructed their fourth-wicket stand showed they realised the importance of their contribution.
England will be rueing the moment that Yousuf edged Steve Harmison low to second slip only to watch the ball travel straight through Andrew Flintoff's hands. Except that one chance the attack did not look like breaking the partnership so it came as a bonus for England when Inzamam was forced to retire hurt after a nasty blow on the wrist from Harmison.
With Hasan Raza, who looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights at Multan, in at No. 6, England sensed an opening and huddled together as though a wicket had fallen while Inzamam headed off. This time Raza settled himself with some crisp boundaries, but was still uncertain against Harmison and had the slips on their toes. Ten minutes before the light closed in he flashed once to often and Flintoff made partial amends for his earlier miss with a smart catch by his bootlaces.
Raza's wicket was a much needed because England's bowling, which had started so promisingly when Hoggard snapped up his brace, lost its control as Yousuf and Inzamam exerted their authority. Liam Plunkett snared his first Test wicket by removing a stubborn Salman Butt but Shaun Udal repeatedly dropped short, was punished each time, and quickly returned to the outfield.
Both batsmen did have moments of fortune; Yousuf twice lobbed the ball into gaps when he was troubled by Harmison's extra bounce and Inzamam was inconvenienced by a hint of low bounce - an indication of what may develop as the pitch wears. But Yousuf reached his fifty in elegant style by creaming a cover drive off Hoggard.
Inzamam has had an epic series; before today his tally was 333 runs from four innings. Pakistan's reply could have gone either way when he arrived at the crease; his aggressive strokeplay put England back on the back foot. The injury was a blow to Pakistan's progress although Yousuf continued to thread the ball through the infield with precision.
The dominant batting by Pakistan's senior pair was in stark contrast to the rush of wickets during the morning session. England started the day with grand designs of extending their innings past 350, while Collingwood had his mind set on a maiden century. Instead, what followed was a further impressive bowling performance from Pakistan, especially Shoaib Akhtar.
He bowled unchanged with excellent control and came close to removing Collingwood on 92 when there was a noise from a flashing cut but it was not bat on ball. However, he got his man an over later with a well-directed bouncer.
Collingwood had deserved a century after marshalling England from the top-order wobble and keeping his head while others lost theirs. But even though he missed three figures, his 96 will ensure he has another chance in the future. Plunkett also deserves credit for his resilience on debut, surviving 51 balls and 83 minutes with few alarms, showing an admirable straight bat.
Yousuf then gave him a tough lesson in bowling at a quality player and England are still counting the cost of that rare lapse by Flintoff. But neither side has taken this match by the throat; the deciding Test is approaching its defining moment.
How they were out
England Resumed on 248 for 6
Shaun Udal c Kamal b Kaneria 10 (249 for 7) Think edge via pad to short-leg
Paul Collingwood c Kaneria b Shoaib 96 (283 for 8) Top-edge hook to long-leg
Liam Plunkett b Sami 9 (288 for 9) Inside edge onto pad then into stumps
Steve Harmison c Akmal b Sami 0 (288 all out) Thin outside edge
Pakistan
Shoaib Malik c Plunkett b Hoggard 0 (0 for 1) Push-drive to midwicket
Asim Kamal lbw b Hoggard 5 (12 for 2) Trapped by an inswinger
Salman Butt c G Jones b Plunkett 28 (68 for 3) Thin edge to a loose drive
Hasan Raza c Flintoff b Harmison 21 (180 for 4) Thick-edged drive to wide third slip position
