Faisal's first Test century puts India on the back foot

Pakistan 245 &amp; 511-5 India 238<br/><i>(Match abandoned at 73 mins)</i>

Faisal Iqbal scored his maiden Test hundred as Pakistan took control of the third and final Test against India.

With Iqbal reaching three figures and the rest of Pakistan's top six all scoring half-centuries, the hosts are now firm favourites to win both the Test and the series, which is all square. After dominating all three sessions, Pakistan closed the third day on 511 for 5, a lead of 518 with five second-innings wickets remaining.

Faisal hit a 103 not out, while Mohammad Yousuf fell just three runs short of a 17th Test century.

India broke through after lunch when Younis Khan, going back to a straight delivery from Anil Kumble, was trapped leg before wicket for 77 off 122 balls. Faisal then joined Yousuf and the pair added 38 for the fourth wicket, before the latter was also snared lbw by Kumble.

Already struggling, the last player India wanted to see striding to the crease was the dangerous Shahid Afridi. Their fears were realised when the explosive right-hander made 60 from just 46 balls, including nine fours and a six, before the left-arm medium-pacer Rudra Pratap Singh induced the batsman into a wild shot, with Sachin Tendulkar taking the catch.

Pakistan'salready good position of 402 for 5 was further strengthened by stumps, with another 109 runs added, thanks to Faisal and Abdul Razzaq.

But it was Faisal's day, and he completedhis first Test century by pulling a Kumble delivery to the midwicket boundary from the penultimate ball of the day.