England loses early wicket after dismissing Pakistan for 304

KARACHI, Pakistan: Spinner Jack Leach snared 4-140 and England’s youngest ever test debutant Rehan Ahmed picked up two wickets to dismiss Pakistan for 304 in the third and final test on Saturday. Pakistan hit back early through spinner Abrar Ahmed, who claimed Zak Crawley leg before wicket without scoring in his first over, and England finished the opening day at 7-1. Ben Duckett (4 not out) and Ollie Pope (3 not out) are at the crease.

Abrar had a terrific test debut when he grabbed 11-234 at Multan in the second test but Pakistan still lost that thrilling game by 26 runs inside four days. Leach bowled an 11-over spell in Karachi with the new ball and Ahmed overcame his nervy first five overs to finish with 2-89. Ahmed’s father, Naeem, was among a sparse crowd at the National Stadium and the proud dad was earlier in the England team’s huddle when former captain Nasser Hussain handed Ahmed his test cap before the toss.

“Probably the best moment, it’s great to be part of it,” Ahmed said as he posed with his arms around his father soon after getting his test cap. “They (teammates) backed me the whole day and I couldn’t ask for more. To play at such a young age is a blessing.” At the age of 18 years, 126 days, Ahmed is 23 days younger than Brian Close, who made his test debut for England against New Zealand at Manchester in 1949.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam (78) and Agha Salman (56) hit composed half centuries for the hosts, but England always came back hard on another dry wicket which offered slow turn to both Leach and Ahmed. Babar looked set for his second century of the series but couldn’t beat Harry Brook’s timely throw and good work by wicketkeeper Ben Foakes in the final session and was run out. Leach had Salman