Shakeel's difficult century brings Pakistan to the point in third Test against England – Sport

Saud Shakeel's tough century helped Pakistan fight back and reach England's first innings total of 267 at tea on the second day of the crucial third Test in Rawalpindi on Friday.

The 29-year-old left-hander held Pakistan's innings together with an unbeaten 107, building run-by-run with 75 singles and just four boundaries.

He defied England with an eighth wicket stand of 88 alongside Noman Ali, who made 45 before falling to spinner Shoaib Bashir in the final over before half-time.

At the break, Sajid Khan was the other unbeaten batsman. Pakistan still have two wickets to go that they need to add to en route to a decisive series win.

The visitors appeared to be in control as young spinner Rehan Ahmed took three quick wickets and left Pakistan reeling at the end of the first session.

England were aiming for a lead after Ahmed defeated Pakistan 187-7 at the lunch break, but the altercation between Shakeel and Noman turned those expectations into frustration.

Shakeel batted with composure and reached his fourth Test hundred with a single against Rehan in a resilient 250 minutes of batting.

Noman – who survived a leg-before decision at review and a dropped catch from Joe Root – supported Shakeel admirably, hitting a six and two fours as the duo helped Pakistan score 80 in the second session .

Rehan's 3-54 sent Mohammad Rizwan (25), Salman Agha (one) and Aamer Jamal (14) back to the pavilion and threatened to throw Pakistan off track.

England's top players Jack Leach and Bashir failed to pull off the same sharp turn from the pitch as their rival Sajid Khan, who sent the visitors packing for 267 with 6-128 on Thursday.

Pakistan entered the day's match at 73-3, looking for a lead to push for a series win.

But Shakeel was the only batsman who was able to continue after reaching double figures. He added 53 for the fourth wicket, with captain Shan Masood falling to Bashir for 26.

It was England's first breakthrough as Masood was on the verge of slipping. Pakistan seemed to get their innings back on track when Rizwan joined Shakeel and the pair scored 52 for the fifth wicket.

Rehan caught Rizwan and Agha at leg in successive overs and then bowled Jamal to give England the lead.

The three-game series is tied 1-1.