England scent victory

England, chasing 198 to win, lost Marcus Trescothick for five after pace trio Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard bowled Pakistan out for 341 on the fourth day of the first test yesterday.

At the close, England were 24 for one. Andrew Strauss was on seven and Ian Bell 12 when play was called off nine overs early due to poor light.

Trescothick, who scored 193 in the first innings, went cheaply second time round, dragging a ball from outside the off-stump from Shabbir Ahmed on to his wicket.

A thick edge from Strauss fell just wide of keeper Kamran Akmal before Bell hooked Shoaib Akhtar for a six over fine leg. Strauss also survived a close run-out chance.

Flintoff (4-88), Steve Harmison (3-52) and Hoggard (2-81) sliced through the Pakistan second innings after lunch to bowl them out in 25.5 overs with the second new ball.

From 266 for three, Pakistan lost their last seven wickets for 75 on a pitch still good for batting and on which Flintoff company really bent their backs.