England lead in third Test

Sharjah - England lost three wickets on the third morning of the final Test against Pakistan in Sharjah on Tuesday but increased their chances of securing a series-levelling win by moving into a 51-run first innings lead.

The touring side, who trail the three-match series 1-0, reached 285 for seven at lunch with the dismissal of Adil Rashid (eight) in the last over before the break. All-rounder Samit Patel remains unbeaten on 41.

After resuming on 222-4, England's hopes of forging a big first innings advantage on the Sharjah Cricket Stadium's slow surface suffered a double blow when they lost both their overnight batsmen early.

James Taylor (76) added just two runs to his total before he edged left-arm paceman Rahat Ali behind for wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed to complete a low one-handed diving catch to his right.

Taylor's dismissal ended a resolute stand of 89, which propped up England after they had been reduced to 139-4 on Monday.

Jonny Bairstow (43) soon followed Taylor back to the pavilion after he failed to read an arm ball from left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar and was bowled.

Patel, who has passed his previous Test best score of 33, and Rashid survived some nervous moments against Wahab Riaz's short-pitched bowling and the leg-spin of Yasir Shah but managed to keep Pakistan at bay until late in the morning session.

Misbah-ul-Haq was forced to call on his part-time off-spinner Shoaib Malik and he repaid his captain's trust by dismissing Rashid in his second over of the day with Azhar Ali completing a sharp, low catch at short leg.

There was some good news for the touring side, however, with all-rounder Ben Stokes, who suffered a shoulder injury while attempting a catch on the first day, declared able to bat if required, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said.

"Imaging has confirmed... Ben Stokes suffered a collar bone joint injury," the ECB said in a statement.

"It has already been decided he will be unable to bowl or field for the remainder of the match but if circumstances dictate, he may bat.

"His injury will be reviewed in seven to 10 days once it has had a chance to settle. A decision about his return to play will be taken at this time."