England to face final batting Test after Azhar's century

Azhar Ali socred 157 of 442 balls

Azhar Ali scored his highest first-class score, 157 from 442, to left England requiring 324 runs for victory on the third day of the the third Test match in Dubai.

After Younis Khan fell lbw to the Stuart Broad on 127, Azhar followed up Younis' hundred with one of his own,  facing more balls in one innings than any batsman other than Misbah-ul-Haq had managed in the entire series.

Montey Panesar trapped Misbah-ul-Haq (31) lbw to dismiss the 4th wicket on 331 runs as England bowlers came into spirits to end Pakistan's innings on 361.

Panesar claimed his second 5-wicket haul of the series and Graeme Swann took 3 wickets.

Five Pakistan batsmen fell to leg before decisions, four to Panesar. That took the total to 41 in the series. It is a record for a three-Test series and only two below the overall record.

By the close, England were batting on 36 for no loss and if they successfully chase down the target of 324, it will be the fourth occasion that a team has chased a 300-plus target against Pakistan. England will have to pass a final batting examination against Pakistan's spinners, a task they have failed throughout the series.
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