Pakistan, bowled out for just 72 on Friday before England replied
with 251, reached 291 for nine at stumps to lead by 112 with two days
remaining. Umar Gul, batting with a runner, was on nine and Mohammad Asif had
13.
Haider came in at 82 for five with his team still 97 runs from
avoiding an innings loss. Partnerships of 52 with Mohammad Amir and 115 with
Saeed Ajmal, who hit a career best 50, ensured England were at least given a
fight.
Pakistan, 1-0 down in the four-match series, were jolted by an
inspired spell either side of lunch by off-spinner Swann, who took a test-best
six for 60. Haider dug in, though, before he was the ninth victim when he drove
Swann to mid-off.
Wicketkeeper Haider, picked for the omitted Kamran Akmal, looked
to have bagged the unwanted tag of a 'king pair' when given out lbw to Swann
first ball. But a referral showed the ball had turned too much.
Haider's finest stroke was perhaps a thumping straight drive
for four off pace bowler James Anderson that took him to 77.
Another boundary driven through mid-on off Steven Finn
raised his 50, when he knelt and kissed the turf.
Pakistan, 19 for one overnight, almost survived the first hour
of the morning until Swann dramatically made his entrance by taking a wicket
with his third ball of the match. He had bowled just two overs in the series
before the day began.
Left-hander Imran Farhat (29), struck above his right eye when
on 27 by a Stuart Broad bouncer, was bowled when Swann came around the wicket,
pitched the ball outside his leg stump only for it to spin sharply enough to
take off stump.
Right-hander Azhar Ali, after battling hard for 82 deliveries,
perished to another spitting off-break from Swann for 19. This time Swann came
over the wicket and landed the ball outside Ali's off stump and managed to get
it to clip leg stump.
Swann's prodigious turn created panic. Umar Akmal advanced down
the pitch and tried to hit Swann over long-on first ball but missed it and
escaped a tough stumping chance for Matt Prior. Finn added the wicket of Shoaib
Malik (3).
Akmal (20), usually an aggressive player, looked uncomfortable
defending against the turning ball and made a peculiar decision to leave a
Swann delivery that spun into him and struck him on the pads for lbw. Akmal
lost his appeal to the third umpire. Swann added Umar Amin (14) after lunch,
stumped by Prior.
For the remainder of the afternoon session, Swann was denied
by Haider and the 18-year-old Amir, whose maturity belied his years.
While Haider was a solid presence, Amir escaped a run out chance
on one and a dropped catch by short leg fielder Alastair Cook on nine off Paul
Collingwood. Amir eventually edged Broad to Andrew Strauss at first slip
shortly after tea.
As England sniffed another chance to claim the win, Ajmal hung
around to make a 50 off 77 balls, before edging Swann to Strauss at slip two
balls after his milestone.
Earlier, Broad was spoken to by the umpires after needlessly
throwing the ball at Haider (when on 22) - striking him on the shoulder.
Broad, known for occasional bouts of temper, apologised to the
injured batsman but match referee Ranjan Madugalle may yet be called to take
action.
