Khan, Shah give Pak control

London: Younus Khan hit a magnificent 218 before Pakistan reduced England to 88-4 to seize firm control of the final Test of the summer at The Oval. Yasir Shah claimed three wickets in five overs as England, faced with a first-innings deficit of 214, collapsed on the third evening to trail by 126. Younus’ sixth Test double hundred underpinned Pakistan’s total of 542. Sarfraz Ahmed made 44 and number 10 Mohammad Amir an unbeaten 39, adding 97 for the ninth wicket with Younus. Victory would earn Pakistan a 2-2 series draw and maintain their hopes of moving to the top of the International Cricket Council Test rankings. After play, it was announced England bowler Stuart Broad had been fined 20% of his match fee for criticising the umpire’s decision to give Alex Hales out on Thursday. Yasir’s return to form was timely. Having claimed 10-141 at Lord’s but taken only four wickets at an average of 126 in the next two Tests, the leg-spinner wrecked the England top order to such an extent a Pakistan innings victory is not unrealistic. After Wahab Riaz squared up Alastair Cook to have him well taken at first slip, Yasir removed Hales, James Vince and Joe Root in a spell of 3-4 in 22 deliveries. Hales was lbw pushing forward to one that drifted in, and Vince drove his third ball straight to short extra-cover to end a series in which his highest score was 42.

“It’s the stupidest shot you can imagine, and for me it’s the end of his Test career,” ex-England batsman Geoffrey Boycott said on BBC Test Match Special. When Joe Root, who batted with occasional alarm in making 39, was trapped in front playing back to Yasir, the hosts were reeling on 74-4. BBC Sports