Middle-order batsman Saud Shakeel’s gritty century helped Pakistan fight back to equal England’s first-innings total of 267 at tea on day two of the series-deciding third Test in Rawalpindi on Friday.

The 29-year-old left-hander held Pakistan’s innings together with an unbeaten 107, built up run-by-run with 75 hits and just four boundaries.

He defied England with an eighth-wicket stand of 88 alongside Noman Ali, who made 45 before falling to spinner Shoaib Bashir before half-time in the final over.

At the break, Sajid Khan was the other unbeaten batsman on one. Pakistan have two wickets left to build a lead in their bid for a series win.

The visitors looked to be in control as young spinner Rehan Ahmed bagged three quick wickets to leave Pakistan reeling at the end of the first session.

England were looking to take an advantage after Ahmed’s strike left Pakistan 187-7 at lunch, but the Shakeel-Noman scoreline turned those expectations into frustration.

Shakeel batted calmly and reached his fourth Test hundred with a single off Rehan in a 250-minute battle of resistance.

Noman – who survived a leg-before review decision and a dropped catch off Joe Root – assisted Shakeel admirably by hitting a six and two fours as the duo helped Pakistan add 80 in the second session.

Rehan’s 3-54 sent Mohammad Rizwan (25), Salman Agha (one) and Aamer Jamal (14) back to the pavilion and threatened to derail Pakistan.

England spinners Jack Leach and Bashir could not produce the same sharp turn from the field as rival Sajid Khan, who dismissed the visitors for 267 with 6-128 on Thursday.

Pakistan resumed the day at 73-3, looking to gain an edge to push for a series win.

But Shakeel was the only batsman who could continue after reaching double figures. He added 53 for the fourth wicket with captain Shan Masood, who fell to Bashir for 26.

It was England’s first breakthrough as Masood was on the verge of slipping. Pakistan looked to get their innings back on track when Rizwan joined Shakeel to put the pair on 52 for the fifth wicket.

Rehan earlier trapped Rizwan and Agha’s leg in successive overs and then bowled Jamal to give England the lead.

The three-match series is tied at 1-1.