England Under-19 seize control against Pakistan

Pakistan Under-19 were left facing a steep challenge after England Under-19 built a 149-run lead on day three of the four-day Youth Test at Arundel Castle Cricket Club Ground on Friday.

Pakistan were bowled out for 305 in their first innings, 28 runs behind England's 333, before England reached 121 for one by the close. The hosts will resume on Saturday with nine wickets in hand and in a strong position to press for victory.

Hasnain Abbas Dar provided the backbone of Pakistan's lower-order resistance, scoring 57 from 166 balls in a patient 187-minute stay at the crease.

Pakistan resumed on 257 for six, with Hasnain unbeaten on 26 and Mohammad Sayyam on 11. The pair extended their seventh-wicket partnership before Sayyam was dismissed for 21 from 93 balls, ending a stand worth 54 runs.

Hasnain continued to occupy the crease and reached his half-century before eventually falling after making 57, including five fours.

Abdul Qadir had earlier top-scored for Pakistan with 66, while Ahmed Hussain added 35 as England's bowlers steadily worked their way through the innings.

Manny Lumsden was the pick of the England attack, claiming five wickets for 52 runs, while captain Ralphie Albert took three for 58.

England made an early breakthrough in their second innings when Abdul Subhan dismissed Bertie Michael for seven. Michael had struck 131 in England's first innings.

That proved to be England's only setback of the evening as Leo Selvey-Clinton and Isaac Mohammed took control.

Selvey-Clinton was unbeaten on 68 from 121 balls, while Mohammed reached 46 not out from 55 deliveries. Their unbroken second-wicket stand of 107 runs put England firmly in command heading into the final day.

England had earlier been lifted by Michael's 131 and Albert's 88 in their first innings.

Pakistan now need a strong final-day bowling effort to prevent England from setting an imposing fourth-innings target.