In the first test between England and Pakistan, the fiery Harry Brook leads the charge for England

In the first Test of the high-scoring series at Rawalpindi, England set Pakistan a challenging victory goal of 343 with one day remaining.

Imam-ul-Haq (43) and Saud Shakeel (24) finished day four at the wicket on 80-2 after Pakistan lost Abdullah Shafique (six) and skipper Babar Azam (four) in their second innings.

Earlier, England batted energetically in their second innings before declaring at 264-7, a lead of 78 runs, as Harry Brook hit a ferocious 87.

In response to Pakistan’s enormous first innings score of 65 7, England ultimately knocked them for 579, with debutant spinner Will Jacks taking a career-high 6-161.

Ollie Robinson promptly bounced out opener Shafique, who had made a century in the first innings, as England, seeking ten Pakistan wickets in a maximum of 130 overs, quickly demonstrated their resolve.

He struck Azhar Ali with a sharp, rising delivery in the same over, forcing him to retire with a hurt finger.

The 14,200 people in attendance were shocked when Stokes eventually secured the prized wicket of Pakistan captain Azam by forcing an edge off a rising delivery that securely landed in keeper Ollie Pope’s hands.

But Haq, who also hit a century in the first innings, helped to steady the ship alongside Shakeel by putting together a third-wicket partnership of 55 runs.

When Brook was bowled in Naseem Shah’s final over before lunch, England declared after adding 218 runs during the second session.

After scoring 153 in England’s first innings, Brook hammered 11 boundaries and three sixes in a gallant effort.

Along with Brook, Root contributed to a 96-run partnership for his 55th Test half-century.

Zahid Mahmood, a leg-spinner, dismissed Root and Stokes (nought) in the same over to finish with numbers of 2-84, while Naseem and Mohammad Ali each claimed 2-66 and 2-64 wickets, respectively.

After Pakistan resumed at 499-7 in the morning session, debutant Jacks took all three wickets to fall, but not before the home team’s tail-enders scored freely on the much-maligned flat Rawalpindi Stadium pitch.

For 50 minutes, Agha Salman (53) and Mahmood (17)’s tenacious eighth-wicket partnership of 57 kept England on their toes.