Emphasising that the Taliban government would not allow terrorist groups to use its soil against Pakistan, Afghan Chargé d’Affaires (CdA) Mawlawi Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb on Tuesday said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor created many opportunities for the region that could benefit Afghanistan as well.

Pakistan has experienced an increase in terrorist attacks as a total of 59 of them occurred countrywide in August compared to 38 attacks in the previous month, according to a digital database maintained by the Pak Institute for Peace Studies, an Islamabad-based think-tank.

Islamabad has repeatedly conveyed its concerns to the Afghan government over the presence of terror outfits, including the banned militant Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan group, inside Afghanistan, saying that the militants have consistently used Afghan soil to launch terror attacks inside Pakistani territory. Kabul denies the allegations.

Speaking at a seminar titled “Strengthening Economic Ties between Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia” organised by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) in Islamabad, Shakeeb said he felt that any insecurity in Afghanistan and the inability to prevent the outflow of terrorism would not allow the building of regional economic cooperation that could help bring prosperity to the people of the entire region.

Mawlawi Shakeeb also stated that Afghanistan’s involvement in the Belt and Road Initiative would not only enhance investments in its infrastructure. but also bring the regional countries closer. “We believe that trilateral cooperation among Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China can usher in a new era of regional collaboration,” he added.

Terming Pakistan as one of the leading trade partners of Afghanistan, he expressed the Afghan interim administration’s commitment to enhancing trade and investment between the two countries.

He acknowledged the recent challenges in trade and economic relations between the two countries, adding that he felt that Afghanistan was striving to revitalise economic relations.

Besides security-related issues, Mawlawi Shakeeb highlighted Western sanctions, frequent closures of crossing points, limited customs facilitation, frequent checking of loaded vehicles and sudden and unilateral increases in tariffs as major obstacles to trade flows.

He underlined the need for the two countries to invest in trade infrastructure, streamline customs processes, strengthen trade facilities, develop transportation links, build mutual trust and enhance diplomatic dialogues to achieve long-term trade benefits.

While calling for greater collaboration on economic policies and expansion of transportation and transit projects between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Mawlawi Shakeeb emphasised the desirability of sustained diplomatic engagement among regional countries and joint efforts for peace and security to provide a sustainable foundation for regional economic cooperation.

He also underpinned the need to refrain from imposing economic restrictions and other policies that hindered regional economic cooperation.

The Afghan CdA highlighted the importance of Afghanistan as a bridge between South and Central Asia. He shared that the Afghan interim administration had already begun work on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline and added that Kazakhstan had expressed interest in joining the project.

He also shared that Afghanistan was working towards implementing projects such as the Trans-Afghan Railway, CASA-1000 and other regional initiatives.

IRS President Ambassador Jauhar Saleem also underscored the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan for intraregional trade and economic prosperity.

In continuation of the alarming spread of poliovirus, the country’s total tally for the ongoing year has risen to 41 after wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) was detected in a 42-month-old girl from Loralai District, Balochistan.

Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) has said that the child experienced the onset of paralysis on October 8 and laboratory tests, on Friday, confirmed that she had contracted WPV1.

The development comes as the government, in its bid to tackle the virus’s spread, is set to kick off a nationwide anti-polio vaccine campaign on October 28.

The latest case marks the first confirmed polio case in the Loralai district and highlights a troubling trend with the province emerging as an area of intense polio transmission this year.

So far, the province has reported 21 of the 41 cases in Pakistan, with other cases spread across Sindh (12), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (six), and one each in Punjab and Islamabad.

Although this is the first recorded case from the district, officials indicate the virus may have been present in the area for months, as four consecutive sewage samples from Loralai have tested positive since June, signalling sustained virus circulation.

Genetic sequencing of samples collected from the infected is underway to understand more about the virus’s transmission patterns.

A senior official with the national PEI expressed concern over the extent of WPV1 transmission in the country, emphasising that Loralai is not an isolated case.

“Balochistan’s first case in Loralai adds to a disturbing picture […] and we now have 204 positive environmental samples from 71 districts across Pakistan. The virus is circulating in many areas, with cases emerging undetected, which is alarming,” said the official.

With Pakistan being one of only two countries where wild poliovirus transmission has not been eradicated, health officials are urging parents to actively participate in the upcoming nationwide polio vaccination campaign.

The campaign, led by Pakistan’s polio programme, aims to vaccinate over 45 million children under the age of five. Officials stress the importance of full participation as incomplete vaccination coverage leaves communities vulnerable to the continued spread and resurgence of polio.

The urgency of the campaign is underscored by the virus’s persistence, which officials say is due to various challenges in vaccination coverage, including vaccine refusals, high population movement, and gaps in reaching remote areas.

The PEI official noted that while polio teams have made significant efforts in many parts of the country, the virus’s resilience requires stronger collaboration from local communities.

“Parents must open their doors to vaccinators and ensure every child receives two drops of the oral polio vaccine to shield them from the lifelong effects of polio,” he emphasised.

Since its launch in 1994, Pakistan’s polio eradication programme has largely contained the virus. However, recent genetic traces show that WPV1 is still circulating in previously controlled areas.

The current challenge is to eliminate polio’s final strongholds through ongoing vaccinations and public cooperation. As the October 28 vaccination drive approaches, health authorities stress the need for vaccinations in high-risk areas to protect future generations from paralysis.

 

After bowling out England for 267 in their first innings, Pakistan faced trouble due to slumping top order batting line-ups as they lose three wickets on the first day of the deciding third Test being played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.

England’s Shoaib Bashir sent off Abdullah Shafique (14) in 9th over, whereas, Jack Leach ended Saim Ayub’s innings at 19 in 12th over. Gus Atkinson gave a big blow to the hosts by claiming Kamran Ghulam’s wicket for 3.

However, skipper Shan Masood (16) along with Saud Shakeel (16) made Pakistan’s slumping lineup steady at the conclusion of day 1 of the series decider at 73/3.

The three-test series is level at 1-1.

Earlier, Jamie Smith (89) and Ben Duckett (52) scored fifties but England’s most frontline batters overall struggled against the turning ball.

Pakistan’s spin duo of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali ran through the England lineup as they claimed six and three wickets, respectively, followed by Zahid Mahmood took one wicket.

After departure of skipper Ben Stokes (12), Jamie Smith revived his side by scoring crucial 89 runs off 119 balls along with Atkinson’s 39 off 71. Zahid removed Smith in 62nd over, whereas, Atkinson was caught and bowled by Noman.

Pakistan’s spin trap led by Sajid Khan and Noman Ali on Thursday wreaked havoc on England to dismiss the top half of their batting lineup in one session reducing the tourists to 110-5 on the opening day of the deciding third Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Ben Duckett (52) gave England a decent start but captain Ben Stokes, batting on six, was left to rue his decision to bat first on a turning track. Jamie Smith was batting on five at the break with England facing a massive job to rebuild the innings.

With the series levelled at 1-1, Pakistan attacked with spin from both ends with Sajid and Noman, who shared all 20 England wickets in the previous test in Multan, bowling in tandem.

Left-arm spinner Noman drew first blood when he tempted Zak Crawley (29) with a flighted delivery, the opener trying for a drive but edging it to Saim Ayub at gully.

England vice-captain Ollie Pope (three) fell to Sajid for the third time in three innings after fluffing a sweep shot.

The off-spinner then delivered a body blow when he trapped Joe Root, currently the top-ranked test batter, lbw for five with a sharply turning ball.

Duckett hit a six off Sajid en route to his fifty and got a reprieve when Noman spilt a return catch. The spinner got his man though, dismissing Duckett lbw in the same over with a delivery that kept low.

Sajid’s trademark thigh-slap celebration was on display again when he bowled Harry Brook (five), who looked ill at ease against the turning ball.

Currently, England are 118-6 with Jamie Smith batting at 7* and Gus Atkinson on zero, while Pakistani spinners Sajid and Noman’s tally of wickets stands at four and two, respectively.

Playing XIs

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Muhammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Salman Agha, Aamer Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Zahid Mahmood

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir

Sajid Khan claimed six wickets, while Noman Ali took three to help Pakistan bundle England for 267 after Jamie Smith’s gutsy 89 on the first day of the third Test here on Thursday.

England could add only 25 runs after the Tea, thanks to Jack Leach’s 16 as Sajid Khan took the final two wickets to claim his second five-wicket haul of the series.

Rehan Ahmed became Sajid’s fifth victim as he came down the track only to get deceived by the spin. Meanwhile, Leach got out stumped in an attempt to hit a short ball by Sajid.

Other than Sajid’s six wickets, Noman Ali got three while Zahid Mahmood bagged one.

England scored 242-8 at Tea with Rehan Ahmed (2) and Jack Leach (1) on the crease.

Ben Stokes (6) and Jamie Smith (5) resumed England’s innings after the Lunch with 110-5 on the board.

However, Stokes was soon dismissed by Sajid Khan after scoring 12 runs, bringing Gus Atkinson to the crease.

Smith and Atkinson raised a 105-run partnership to get England out of the trouble much to the frustration of Pakistan bowlers.

Atkinson, who missed the second Test, played a gutsy knock on his return to the side and scored 39 runs from 71 balls with the help of five boundaries before miscuing one back to the Noman Ali.

Jamie Smith top-scored for England with a stellar innings of 89 runs, which ended with him getting stumped off Zahid Mahmood.

England captain Ben Stokes opted to bat first on a tricky Rawalpindi pitch. The visitors got off to a decent start as opening batters Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett stitched a 56-run partnership.

However, Pakistan’s spinners continued from where they left in the last match and Noman Ali provided the first breakthrough, removing Crawley after he scored 29.

Duckett continued to anchor through the innings while new batters Ollie Pope (3) and Joe Root (5) fell prey to Sajid Khan.

The left-handed opener completed his second half-century of the series but soon became Noman Ali’s victim. Duckett departed after scoring 52 off 84 with the help of four boundaries and one six.

Sajid Khan castled Harry Brook (5) to leave England in a struggling position with the scoreboard reading 98-5.

Stokes was then joined by wicket-keeper Jamie Smith and they ensured that the English side did not suffer any further damage in the first session.

It’s worth noting that the three-match Test series is currently levelled 1-1 and the deciding third match is currently underway at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti has said Jammu and Kashmir is bearing the brunt of the animosity between India and Pakistan. Reconciliation between the two nations is the only way to stop terror incidents in the Union Territory, the former chief minister said.

The remarks came days after seven people – a local doctor and six non-local labourers – were killed and five injured when terrorists attacked their camp in Gund in Ganderbal district of Kashmir. The labourers were working on a tunnel project.

“The people of J&K are stuck in the animosity between the two countries. Their lives and their property are getting destroyed because the two countries are fighting each other,” Mufti said after visiting the residence of Dr Shahnawaz Dar, who was killed in Sunday’s attack, in Naidgam village of Budgam district on Wednesday.

Bearing the brunt

“J&K is bearing the brunt and the poor non-local labourers are also suffering because of that,” Mehbooba told reporters in Budgam

The former Lok Sabha MP said Dar was serving the people and was an honourable man but suffered because of the animosity between the two countries.

“Until both the countries sit together, talk in a cordial manner and take the path of reconciliation like (former prime minister Atal Bihari) Vajpayee, the people of J&K and the rest of the country will continue to witness such incidents,” she said.

Dar was posted at the tunnel construction site by APCO Infratech, the infrastructure company he was working for.

Mehbooba’s remarks are in sharp contrast with her party’s rival National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah who on Monday lashed out at Pakistan for perpetrating terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, saying Islamabad will have to stop terror incidents here if it wants to have friendly relations with India.

Until both the countries sit together, talk in a cordial manner and take the path of reconciliation, the people of J&K will continue to witness such incidents.

Every person in J&K wants this violence to end… we get out of this bloodshed.

“Every person in J&K, not just Mehbooba Mufti, wants this violence to end and that the two countries sit together and talk so that we get out of this bloodshed,” Mehbooba said when asked about comments by Abdullah.

England have announced their playing XI for the decisive third Test against Pakistan, set to begin on Thursday in Rawalpindi. With the three-match series tied, both teams are looking to secure a win, and England have made two changes to their lineup in preparation for the clash.

Seamer Gus Atkinson makes his return to the side, providing an additional pace option for England’s bowling attack. Leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed is also included, marking his first appearance since playing against India in Rajkot earlier this year.

Both players will be key in helping England challenge Pakistan on what is expected to be a turning pitch. Missing out on the final XI are Durham duo Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts, who were part of the second Test in Multan.

England’s squad features a mix of experience and youth, with captain Ben Stokes leading the side. The batting order remains solid with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett at the top, followed by Ollie Pope, Joe Root, and Harry Brook.

Jamie Smith retains his spot, while Jack Leach is set to lead the spin attack alongside Ahmed. Shoaib Bashir, another key spinner, rounds out the bowling lineup.

As the teams prepare for this crucial match, England will be eager to finish the series on a high note after strong performances in the earlier Tests. Both teams will be looking to exploit the conditions in Rawalpindi to clinch the series victory.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PC) has proposed that the Indian team may return to their country after each match to minimise their stay in Pakistan during the Champions Trophy 2025.

The board, owing to security concerns, has suggested that the Men in Blue’s return to Chandigarh or New Delhi after each match in the mega tournament set to be hosted by Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025.

The development comes due to uncertainty over India’s participation in the tournament, as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seeks the Indian government’s approval to visit the country for the mega tournament.

In light of the fact that the neighbouring country’s cricket team have not travelled to Pakistan since 2008. The arch-rivals have also not had any bilateral series since 2012-13.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to feature eight elite teams including India, Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, based on their performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup.

Three venues — Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore — will host the matches of eight teams and according to PCB’s proposed schedule to ICC, all of India’s matches will take place in Lahore.

The PCB has reassured the BCCI of its commitment to providing every possible comfort and security to the Indian team, offering flexible arrangements to ensure their involvement in the highly anticipated event.

Initially, all of India’s matches were scheduled to take place in Lahore for convenience and ease of access for the Indian team and their fans.

However, recent proposals suggest that one of India’s group-stage matches — potentially against New Zealand — might be shifted to Rawalpindi.

This adjustment was suggested by broadcasters, who recommended distributing India’s matches between Lahore and Rawalpindi to enhance broadcast reach and fan engagement.

Prioritising the comfort and security of the Indian team, the board has indicated that they are open to accommodating this change and has expressed its willingness to provide top-notch facilities and ensure a smooth stay, regardless of the venue.

There is also a ten-day gap between India’s second and third group matches, offering the Indian team the option to return to India for training or rest during the interim period, with the PCB facilitating seamless travel logistics.

In their communication with the BCCI, the PCB emphasised that the proposal for India to return home between matches was not driven by security concerns but aimed at providing comfort to the Indian players.

The PCB reiterated its readiness to ensure excellent hospitality, whether India chooses to play all their matches in Lahore or prefers a venue change to Rawalpindi.

The close proximity of Lahore to the Indian border makes it a strategic location for India’s matches, while Rawalpindi, another city in Punjab province, remains a feasible alternative.

India is placed in Group A alongside host Pakistan, Bangladesh, and New Zealand.

Pakistan’s taekwondo team made history at the 6th Asian Open (Kyorugi) Taekwondo Championship in Indonesia, securing the championship title with an impressive tally of three gold, three silver, and two bronze medals.

This achievement marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time both male and female athletes from Pakistan have accomplished such a feat at an international taekwondo event abroad.

In a fiercely contested championship, Pakistan clinched first place, followed by Kazakhstan in second and Malaysia in third. The event, held from October 14 to 17, showcased the rising talent of Pakistani athletes on the Asian stage.

On Thursday, Haroon Khan delivered a standout performance in the -58kg category, defeating compatriot Abubakar to win gold. Khan won the final with scores of 6-4 and 9-7, showcasing his skill and determination throughout the match.

In the women’s -73kg final, Manisha Ali also triumphed, earning gold after defeating Indonesia’s Paramata Sari 4-1 and 8-2.

Earlier, Shahzaib, competing in the -54kg category, secured a gold medal for Pakistan.

The medal winners from Pakistan included:

Gold: Shahzaib (-54 kg), Haroon Khan (-58 kg), Manisha Ali (-73 kg)

Silver: Abubakar (-58 kg), Ikhtasham Ul Haq (-87 kg), Hamza Omer Saeed (+87 kg)

Bronze: Mazhar Abbas (-80 kg), Malia Ali (-73 kg)

The Pakistani team was awarded the “Best Team” title, with Shahzaib recognised as the “Best Athlete” of the championship and Yousaf Karami named “Best Coach.”

Pakistan set a 297-run target for England after grabbing a handy lead of 296 runs with the help of Salman Agha’s 63 in their second innings on day three of the second test in Multan on Thursday.

Pakistan’s top order slumped after England’s Shoaib Bashir took three crucial wickets of Abdullah Shafique (4), Saim Ayub (22) and skipper Shan Masood (11), while he also removed Noman Ali (1).

Jack Leach also played his part for his side by sending off Kamran Ghulam (26), Saud Shakeel (31), and Aamer Jamal (1) which further dimmed the chances of resistance from the hosts.

However, Salman took the charge and responsibly brought Men in Green back to the game to stretch the lead by smashing 63 runs off 89 balls.

Brydon Carse ended Salman’s innings in 58th over, who also grabbed the key wicket of wicketkeeper-cum-batsman Mohammad Rizwan in 31st over.

After grabbing a crucial lead of 75 runs against England, Pakistan was hit with challenges, slumping to 77-4 in their second innings.

Pakistan Off-spinner Sajid Khan claimed seven wickets as the Green Shirts bowled out England for 291 as the visitors tried to chase Pakistan’s first-innings total of 366 in the spin-dominated contest.

Ben Duckett smashed 114 for England but several of their frontline batters failed to convert starts into big knocks.

On a track where the ball turned sharply and shot-making was difficult, England off-spinner Shoaib Bashir then delivered three huge blows to keep England in the contest.

Kamran Ghulam, who smashed a hundred in the first innings of his debut test, was batting on five having lost partner Saim Ayub (22) on the stroke of lunch but soon was knocket out at 26 by left-arm spinner Jack Leach.

England captain Ben Stokes began with spin from both ends due to the nature of the pitch, putting in off-spinner Bashir with Leach.

Stokes stayed with spin even when Leach had to be rested, pressing part-time off-spinner Joe Root into service.

Bashir drew first blood when he had Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique caught behind for four. England successfully reviewed the original not-out decision and replays confirmed the faintest of edges.

Bashir dismissed Shan Masood for 11 after the Pakistan captain tried to flick a ball only to offer an edge to Ollie Pope at second slip.

Saim looked comfortable before falling to the same Pope-Bashir combination in the final delivery before the lunch break.

England had earlier resumed on 239-6 and lost their remaining four wickets in the first hour to concede a first-innings lead of 75 to the hosts.

Sajid dismissed Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts and Bashir to finish with impressive figures of 7-111.

Left-arm spinner Noman Ali claimed the remaining three as England lost all 10 wickets to Pakistan’s spin-heavy attack, which has Aamer Jamal as the lone seamer.

Previously, Ben Stokes’ squad had shown a strong response, particularly through Ben Duckett’s outstanding century, establishing a robust position against Pakistan.

Before that, the Shan Masood-led side got out for 366 with debutant Ghulam top-scoring for the hosts with a fluent 118 and Saim contributing 77.

England are 1-0 up in the three-Test series.

Pakistan Playing XI

Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Zahid Mehmood

England Playing XI

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wk), Brydon Carse, Matt Potts, Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir

The day ended with Jamie Smith (12*) and Brydon Carse (2*) on strike.

The Ben Stokes-led side will be resuming their first innings on the third day of the second test.

The touring side were 88 for one at tea with Ben Duckett unbeaten on 53 and Ollie Pope on five.

Scoring the most runs, Duckett made a century with 114 runs off 129 balls after smashing 16 boundaries solely.

He was dismissed after Agha Salman caught the catch by first slip when Sajid Khan delivered the first ball of the 43rd over.

Pope, on the other hand, couldn’t score much for the team, making 29 after taking 16 runs from his four boundaries.

Aiming for a half-century, Joe Root (34) was dismissed after Sajid, eyeing his third wicket, hit the stumps on the third ball of the 41st over.

Players including Harry Brook and English skipper Ben Stokes scored less than 10 runs in the first innings.

With Brook scoring 9 and Stokes making one run and leaving the stadium at the second ball of the 44th over delivered by Noman Ali.

The Shan Masood-led side so far played good with the ball, taking six wickets down of the visitors.

With Sajid taking four wickets solely while Noman dismissed two players in the innings so far.

Earlier today, England’s Duckett smashed a rapid unbeaten fifty as he opened for the visitors, leading their robust reply to Pakistan’s first-innings 366.

Duckett combined in a breezy 73-run opening stand with Zak Crawley, who led a charmed life before he fell for 27.

Crawley survived a run-out after a mix-up with Duckett only because bowler Sajid had broken the stumps before he could collect the ball.

Sajid appeared to have redeemed himself in the next over when his lbw appeal against Crawley was upheld.

Pakistan’s joy was short-lived, however, as Crawley, convinced by Duckett, reviewed the decision, which was reversed after replays confirmed the ball would have narrowly missed the stumps.

Crawley could not make the most of the reprieves, though, and fell to Noman Ali.

After the caught-behind appeal against Crawley had been turned down, left-arm spinner Noman cajoled his captain Shan Masood to review the decision and replays confirmed an edge.

Pakistan all out in first innings

Earlier, Pakistan were all out for 366 in their first innings on day two of the second Test with debutant Kamran Ghulam top scoring for the hosts with a fluent 118 and Saim Ayub contributing 77.

Spinner Jack Leach (4-114) and seamer Brydon Carse (3-50) impressed with the ball for England, who are 1-0 up in the three-Test series.

Aamer Jamal and Noman Ali showcased the resilience of Pakistan’s lower order, reaching 358 for eight at lunch on day two of the second Test against England in Multan on Wednesday.

Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha opened the second day at 37 and five, respectively, on 259-5. However, the Green Shirts soon lost Rizwan to Brydon Carse for 41 as England dominated the opening hour.

Rizwan had survived a strong lbw appeal in the previous over from Matthew Potts but edged Carse and Jamie Smith took a sharp catch behind the stumps.

Meanwhile, Agha contributed 31 but failed to convert the start into a big knock. He also fell caught behind after Potts managed to extract some extra bounce from a docile track, inducing an edge that nestled into Smith’s gloves.

Leach removed Khan for two but Jamal frustrated England even though the batter struggled to get going and needed on-field treatment.

Jamal is the lone specialist seamer in Pakistan’s spin-heavy attack and his fitness is crucial for the home side’s hopes of levelling the series in Multan.

Previously, Ghulam, 29, hit a superb century on his debut to guide Pakistan to 259-5 on the opening day of the second Test, replacing out-of-form Babar Azam at number four and foiled England’s aggressive bowling and fielding to score 118.

Ghulam led a fightback after the hosts, who won the toss, were struggling at 19-2 with Leach striking twice in the first hour. He added 149 for the defiant third wicket with Saim Ayub, who hit a career-best 77, and another 65 for the fifth wicket with Rizwan.

The debutant reached three figures with a boundary off spinner Joe Root, taking 280 minutes and becoming Pakistan’s 12th batter to score a century in his first Test.

With just half an hour before stumps, Ghulam was bowled by spinner Shoaib Bashir, ending a resolute 323-minute knock spiced with 11 fours and a six.

Meanwhile, England employed a short mid-off and two mid-wicket fielders to get wickets after lunch but the Multan pitch — the same used for the first Test — gave very little help to the spinners after some early promise.

England lead the three-match series 1-0.

Pakistan Playing XI

Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Zahid Mehmood

England Playing XI

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wk), Brydon Carse, Matt Potts, Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir