England were challenged by a century on debut by Pakistan’s Kamran Ghulam on the opening day of the second Test in Multan.
Ghulam, in the side after the seismic axing of Babar Azam, made a splendid 118 to help the home side to 259-5.
The 29-year-old’s effort denied any suggestion batting would be impossible on a pitch that was also used for England’s innings victory on this ground last week.
When spinner Jack Leach reduced Pakistan to 19-2 inside the opening 10 overs, there were fears the Test would become little more than a lottery, over in three days maximum.
But Ghulam shared a third-wicket stand of 149 with Saim Ayub, who made 77, then carried on after he lost Ayub and Saud Shakeel in quick succession.
Overall, England’s spinners struggled and the tourists’ threat came from their seamers, including captain Ben Stokes, playing his first Test since July. Stokes, Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts were magnificent in reverse-swinging the ball either side of tea.
Ghulam was able to build another partnership of 65 with Mohammed Rizwan, the wicketkeeper crucially surviving an edge off Potts which England did not review.
In the closing stages, Shoaib Bashir bounced back from a difficult day to bowl Ghulam, leaving the Test beautifully poised.
