Saud Shakeel Ton Vs England: Pakistan have levelled the score at Tea, Day 2, as England are finding themselves helpless against the resilience of Saud Shakeel, who has now scored his 4th Test ton (first against England) to save the home side from suffering a first-innings deficit against the Ben Stokes-led side.
Saud Shakeel has been batting since Session 3 of Day 1, and has managed to play out two sessions of Day 2 on a pitch, which has troubled every other batsman, be it of Pakistan or England.
Watch Saud Shakeel's 'century-making' run here:
Pakistan are 267/8, as an 88-run partnership for the 8th wicket between Nauman Ali and Saud Shakeel dragged the hosts from bundling out below 250, to being one shy of taking the lead against England.
The former missed out on a memorable fifty, as he was dismissed by Shoaib Bashir in the last over before the Tea break, with him departing for a well-made 45.
Saud Shakeel's knock lasted 223 balls, which included merely five boundaries, as his innings relied on temperament, compsure, determination, grit, and endurance. The Pakistan vice-captain heavily relied on running between the wickets and made sure he keeps one end stabilised, as wickets kept tumbling on the other end.
His previous ton came against Bangladesh in the 1st innings of the 1st Test match, which Pakistan ultimately lost in what was Bangaldesh's first-ever vitory over their opponents in the red-ball cricket.
The 29-year-old was heavily criticised by fans as his innings came in a losing cause, and many Pakistan cricket experts on social media called the innings 'selfish'.
But today's innings is a big statement of his ability, as this has potentially proven to be the biggest game-changer of the 3rd Test match.