ENGLAND were left battling for a draw in the third and final test as Pakistan declared their first innings at 521 for eight yesterday with one day of play left.
The declaration left England chasing 195 in their second innings to avoid an innings defeat and by the end of play they had reached 74 without loss - with captain Mike Atherton on 26 not "out and wicketkeeper Alec Stewart 40 not out.
Despite the solid start, England's batsmen will undergo another trial of their nerves today, with Waqar Younis, Wasim Fakram and Mushtaq Ahmed again forming a formidable attack.
Even a still sound pitch at The Oval might not offer salvation should Atherton and Stewart be parted early this morning. But England will know that Pakistan must bat again once another 121 runs have been scored.
Yesterday England started the day trying to get the vital breakthrough that might give them a glimmer of hope of victory and the chance to salvage the series.
But the English bowlers were again found lacking when they were most needed and Salim Malik confidently reached his 100 just after tea - sparking his side's declaration.
In the morning session Asif Mujtaba was run out for only 13, thanks to a brilliant piece of fielding by Chris Lewis early in the session. Ironically, only hours earlier Lewis has been axed from England's one day squad for the forthcoming matches against Pakistan for turning up late.
Lewis did not arrive at the ground until 45 minutes before the start of play - and could not give the England management a good reason for not being on time to take part in practice.
His place in the one day squad was given to Kent's Dean Headley.
But with Mujtaba gone, Malik took control and began to dominate the English attack.
Star(ing the morning at two not out the right hander moved relentlessly towards a century as he passed 5,000 runs in his 90 test appearances. He teamed up with Wasim Akram and the two batsmen began setting about the bowling. As tea approached Akram finally fell when Robert Croft got one past him and Stewart had his bails off before he could get back. The duo had put on 75 and the damage had been done.
Pakistan continued to move further ahead of England, with Malik leading the way. The moment Malik got his 14th test century Pakistan declared and England were left trying to force a draw.
If the England batting order does collapse today it will simply add to the country's miserable recent test record. Of the 95 Test matches contested since Mike Gatting's team retained the Ashes in the winter of 1986-87, England have won just 18.
