England hold a slight edge after day three of the second test against Pakistan at the Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi as they look to level the three match series.
Stuart Broad and Monty Panesar were the star performers for England as Pakistan ended day three on 125-4, a lead of 55 runs with six second innings wickets remaining. Starting the day 50 runs behind Pakistan's first innings total of 257, Broad's morning counter-attack saw him finish on 58 not out and helped England from a precarious 207-5 to 327 all out, a useful lead of 70 on a spinner's track.
It was Broad's ninth test fifty, coming off just 52 balls and including six fours and a six hit high over long on off Abdur Rehman. After getting his side into a strong position with his morning heroics, Broad was unable to add to his lunchtime score as Hafeez (3 for 54) hurried one through Anderson's defences and then had last man Panesar trapped in front to leave the all-rounder stranded.
Panesar quickly made amends as he took 3-44 as Pakistan lost three wickets in the afternoon session and a fourth quickly after tea before they could reach parity. However, thanks to a stubborn unbeaten stand between Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq, they finished the day on 125-4, a lead of 55. Swann took the other Pakistan wicket, clean bowling opener Taufeeq Umar between bat and pad in his first over.
But with Ali and Shafiq still at the crease, Pakistan are still very much in the game and England will not want to chase anything but a very small total on a pitch which is offering plenty to the slow bowlers.