Zak Crawley's 171 puts England in charge of 3rd Test vs Pakistan

Zak Crawley hit an unbeaten, career-best 171 and Jos Buttler was approaching his second Test century as England dominated opening day of third and final match of series against Pakistan on Friday.

England closed on 332-4, with fifth-wicket stand between Crawley and Buttler (87) worth 205 and Pakistan's bowlers looking demoralized in isolated environment of Rose Bowl.

Crawley struck 19 fours in a composed 269-ball inning that saw him more than double his previous best score of 76, achieved last month on same ground in Southampton.

22-year-old batsman is only playing in his eighth Test match because Ben Stokes is missing while he attends a family matter back in New Zealand and w looks undroppable on this form.

It was first Test century by a . 3 batsman for England since vember 2018, and a first on home in four years. position has been a problem area, but perhaps more.

"Best feeling I've h on a cricket field by quite a long way," Crawley said after being applauded off middle by Pakistan's players n waiting England players and officials.

Buttler, meanwhile, produced ar beautiful inning that will furr quieten critics of a wicketkeeper-batsman who has h a disappointing summer behind stumps. He smashed leg-spinner, Yasir Shah, for two sixes down ground, while his array of impressive shot-making included an exquisite back-foot drive through covers.

It was Buttler's highest test kck-in nearly two years.

England les 1-0 and is looking to clinch a first series victory over Pakistan in 10 years, as well as a second of summer after beating West Indies 2-1.

Pakistan faces a tough task getting back into a match that looked like going its way on Day 1 when England was reduced to 127-4 following dismissals of Joe Root (29) and Ollie Pope (5) after lunch.

tourists n lost control amid shot-making of Crawley and Buttler, with even reliable Yasir losing his way and getting hit for 107 off 28 overs.

Crawley played for all but 4.3 overs of a day when 90 overs were bowled at a venue that was hit by rain and b light in drawn second test last week. 

Im credits: AP