Shan Masood, Azan Awais hold up England with century stand
Day 3 - Session 1: Pakistan trail by 136 runs.
Current RR: 4.60
• Last 10 ov (RR): 59/1 (5.90)
Dan Lawrence appeals for the dismissal of Azan Awais • Getty Images
Lunch Pakistan 133 and 184 for 3 (Masood 83*, Awais 59) trail England 453 by 136 runs
Pakistan showed the fight they had been lacking this series with a century stand between Shan Masood and Azan Awais holding out against England's hopes of a quick finish to the third Test at Edgbaston.
The duo, survivors amid the gutting of their squad when seven players were sent home after two heavy defeats, added 73 runs on the third morning in a 125-run partnership, Pakistan's first century stand of the series.
They lifted their side from 2 for 0 and ate into England's 320-run lead on first innings so that although Pakistan still trailed by 136 runs at lunch on day three, they could take some rare encouragement as Masood dined on 83 not out.
Masood, dropped on 13 in the cordon the previous day, edged a Josh Tongue short ball past a diving Harry Brook at second slip then turned a fuller one to deep square leg for back-to-back fours. Awais chimed in with consecutive boundaries off the same bowler, through square leg and beautifully driven through cover.
Masood was put down again on 40 by sub fielder Theo Wylie, who had taken a straightforward catch at midwicket to remove him in the first innings but on this occasion failed to hold on as Masood attempted to drive and sent a leading edge to point. The ball raced away for four to compound Wylie's disappointment but captain Joe Root was quick to console him at the end of the over.
Masood reached his fifty off 81balls and Awais off 78, the pair travelling nicely until Dan Lawrence's offspin provided the breakthrough.
Lawrence struck second ball when Awais feathered a leg-side catch to Jordan Cox, standing in for injured wicketkeeper Jamie Smith. Cox didn't look convinced as he went up in appeal, so faint was the edge, but Root had an excellent view from leg slip and called for the DRS straight away after Awais was initially adjudged not out. Replays confirmed contact with the bat, although there would have been legitimate cause for a stumping appeal too, so sharp were Cox's reactions.
That left it to Pakistan captain Babar Azam to continue his side's resistance with Masood and the fourth-wicket pair made it to lunch unscathed.
Valkerie Baynes is a general editor, women's cricket, at Cricinfo
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