| Scores | Upcoming | Results |
London: Alastair Cook scores a century but Pakistan fight back as England close only 146 ahead at 221-9 after three days of the third Test at The Oval.
England had built a lead of 119 at the tea interval with seven wickets intact, as Alastair Cook (110) ended his run of poor form with his 13th Test century.
But they self-destructed in the final session, losing six wickets for 27.
Left-arm paceman Mohammad Amir claimed 4-51 and spinner Saaed Ajmal bowled 30 successive overs for 4-71 before bad light ended play.
They were supported well by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, only playing because of Zulqarnain Haider's fractured finger, who took four catches to pass 200 dismissals in Tests.
Cook's 110 exceeded his total from eight previous Test innings on home soil this summer.
It was certainly not the most aesthetically pleasing century, but for the 25-year-old it was one of the most significant of a Test career that began with a debut hundred against India in 2006.
It was also invaluable to England, for whom the portents were not good as Cook and nightwatchman James Anderson strode out to face a Pakistan attack in overcast and muggy conditions.
Surprisingly, however, there was virtually no movement for the seam bowlers and with less than 40 minutes played Pakistan turned to the spin of Ajmal.
He claimed a wicket with his first delivery when some gentle turn resulted in Anderson feathering a catch which Akmal pouched smartly standing up to the stumps.
Cook had his share his share of luck, edging three times through the slip cordon for boundaries, the first two falling short of the fielders but the third inexplicably left by first and second slip to the disgust of bowler Wahab Riaz.
There was a huge cheer from an appreciative crowd when Cook went through for a single to reach 50 off 77 balls and clear England's first-innings deficit.
A sumptuous cover drive for four followed and when England reached lunch 35 ahead with eight wickets intact, suddenly things were beginning to look brighter.
Brief score
England 233 and 221 for 9 (Cook 110, Amir 4-51, Ajmal 4-71)
Pakistan 308 (Azhar Ali 92*, Yousuf 56, Swann 6-68)
Status England lead by 146 runs
