England’s target would have been more manageable had it not been for some crucial dropped catches in the afternoon session.
Salman Agha was put down on four and six by wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and first-slip Joe Root respectively, both in the same Brydon Carse over. Had one of the chances been taken, Pakistan would have been six wickets down with their lead still below 200.
In the case of 24-year-old Smith, it was probably his worst error with the gloves in eight Tests since making his debut in July.
“I’m sure he’ll be disappointed but he certainly doesn’t show it,” said Collingwood. “He never seems to change his demeanour, no matter what’s happening, which to me is a great trait.
“It’s been amazing to have someone so level-headed, it feels like he’s been around for years.”
Salman went on to make 63, adding 65 for the ninth wicket with Sajid Khan. It was off-spinner Sajid, following seven wickets in England’s first innings, who struck first to remove Duckett in the second, before Crawley was stumped off Noman Ali.
“We are ahead of the game, there’s no doubt about that, but we all know England can put the momentum very quickly to their side,” Salman told Test Match Special. “We need be aware of that and we need to be doing the good things we’re doing.
“We were looking for anything around 200, 200-plus, but me and Sajid put up a great partnership.
“We wanted at least one wicket, but to get both openers is why I am saying we are ahead of the game. We should win from here but we have to do good things consistently.”
