England waste golden chance

England 248 for 6 (Collingwood 71*, Vaughan 58, Trescothick 50, Malik 3-58) v Pakistan
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Michael Vaughan survived a testing spell from Naved-ul-Hasan, but failed to build after lunch © Getty Images

England missed a golden opportunity to stamp their authority on the deciding Test at Lahore after frittering away the platform of a century opening stand between Marcus Trescothick and Michael Vaughan. Shoaib Malik was the surprise package with the ball as he swept away the top three, while Rana Naved-ul-Hasan produced another wholehearted performance of swing bowling. Paul Collingwood prevented the innings falling into terminal decline with a maiden Test half-century, but the relative ease with which he played just emphasised the wastefulness of the earlier batting.

They could not have asked for a better chance to set up a match-controlling position. Vaughan and Trescothick were reunited at the top of the order for the first time in 20 months - with immediate result. Vaughan showed glimpses of the imperious form he produced opening against Australia in 2002-03, with a sweetly timed on drive and two trademark swivel-pulls the highlights. The previous opening stands in the series - by Trescothick and Andrew Strauss - amassed less-than-impressive totals of 18, 7, 33 and 1, so today's 101 represented riches indeed.

But once Vaughan picked out square-leg England fell apart to a mixture of poor shots and poor luck. Malik, who was entrusted with more of the early spin duties than Danish Kaneria, was not making the ball spit or bounce - his three wickets came courtesy of England's fondness for the sweep. Ian Bell tried to play it too early in the innings and with a man placed a short fine-leg for the shot.

Trescothick eased to his fifty and the responsibility for the innings after the fall of two quick wickets was on his shoulders. But the sweep continued to be their downfall, albeit in a different and slightly unfortunate style. This time a bottom edge slammed into his boot and Kamran Akmal was alert to grab the chance.

The wicket of Pietersen on the stroke of tea was vital for Pakistan © Getty Images

Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen stopped the slide, each playing in his own distinctive style. Collingwood was happy to work the ball around and keep it along the ground; Pietersen took his favoured aerial route by depositing Malik into the stand at deep mid-wicket. However, with the last ball before tea Pietersen glanced a ball down the leg side where Akmal held a stunning left-handed grab.

It wasn't quite panic stations for England but they did require some calm heads during the evening session. Cue two more ill-judged shots. It is tough to criticise Andrew Flintoff - he could not have done much more this year - but he has regained the habit of picking out fielders on this tour. Naved-ul-Hasan deserved the wicket following a probing spell with the new ball and the catch from Shoaib Akhtar was equally impressive. Those two players epitomised the commitment Pakistan have shown this series.

Geraint Jones was more culpable with his dismissal, an ugly sweep to a ball on middle making it four wickets lost to that shot for the day. It also handed Kaneria, who must be treading on thin ice as far as over appealing is concerned, a moral-boosting wicket following his barran time at Faisalabad.

Amid the poorly executed cross-batted shots Collingwood kept his bat perfectly straight - a method his team-mates could do worse than copy. Coming into this match there were fears he was facing a final chance at Test cricket following limited returns in his first four matches. However, if he had any nerves they weren't evident, as he got into his stride early with a series of punching cover drives off Malik. He had moments of fortune - especially an inside edge against Shoaib on 54 that Darrell Hair missed - but it was the break he needed.

His leg side play against Kaneria was especially impressive and he flicked the legspinner frequently through mid-wicket. He also stood up well to another spell of extreme pace from Shoaib Akhtar, who maintained speeds in the 90mph range through the day. His first half-century came from 83 balls and continued a good day for Durham players following Liam Plunkett's inclusion in the team.

There has been enough assistance from the pitch to keep the pace bowlers interested so Plunkett and England's other quick men will fancy their chances of having a say before this match is finished. First, though, the bowlers have a vital role to play trying to help Collingwood extend the total past 300. If England are going to level this series they are going to do it the hard way.

How they were out

England

Michael Vaughan c Yousuf b Malik 58 (101 for 1)
Hard sweep to square leg

Ian Bell c Yousuf b Malik 4 (114 for 2)
Top edge to short fine-leg

Marcus Trescothick c Akmal b Malik 54 (115 for 3)
Bottom edge into boot; wicketkeeper jumped from behind the stumps

Kevin Pietersen c Akmal b Naved-ul-Hasan 34 (183 for 4)
Glove down leg side, excellent tumbling catch to left

Andrew Flintoff c Shoaib b Naved-ul-Hasan 12 (201 for 5)
Top-edge hook to long leg

Geraint Jones b Kaneria 4 (225 for 6)
Attempted sweep off middle