4 Nov 2015 | Cricket
England will be required to make history on the final day in Sharjah if they are to win the third Test and draw the series against Pakistan.
The tourists need another 238 from 90 overs tomorrow to chase down a victory target of 284, 75 runs more than their current highest pursuit in Asia, after closing the penultimate day on 46 for two.
Their task was made even harder by the loss of Moeen Ali and Ian Bell with the score on 34, both becoming victims for Shoaib Malik on his final Test appearance, while injured Ben Stokes will only bat if required.
Although Pakistan remain favourites, England will retain hope of toppling the record 209 they chased to beat Bangladesh in Dhaka six years ago as long as Alastair Cook and Joe Root, their side's leading run-scorers in this series, remain at the crease.
Cook and Root will resume on 17 and six respectively on a surface that is offering more assistance to the spinners and will take comfort from knowing that Pakistan have no reviews remaining.
The designated hosts were able to post a second-innings 355 courtesy of Mohammad Hafeez turning his overnight 97 into 151, a potentially series-winning knock.
The opening batsman was not without his fair share of luck, though, surviving three chances, two of which arrived in the first over of the day before he completed his ninth Test ton.