Pakistan 119-2 at close, England 480-8 dec

Pakistan began their first innings cautiously, while England denied Pakistani off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq a chance to make history when it declared its first innings at 480 for eight on the third day of the first cricket test.

Pakistan began their first innings cautiously, while England denied Pakistani off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq a chance to make history when it declared its first innings at 480 for eight on the third day of the first cricket test.

When England captain Nasser Hussain declared Mushtaq had taken a career-best of eight for 164. Mushtaq missed an opportunity to try to equal England's Jim Laker and India's Anil Kumble's record of 10 wickets in an innings.

"I have never bowled that many overs in an innings. My shoulders and fingers are really tired," Mushtaq said.

"I never play for records. It's not my aim to make or break records in test cricket," said Mushtaq, who bettered his previous best of six for 46 against Australia at Hobart last year said.

Pakistan, meanwhile, was 119 for two before bad light brought an early end to the day's play - eight overs before scheduled close.

Salim Elahi was batting on 15 with Inzamam-ul Haq unbeaten on 11. Pakistan still needs 162 to avoid a follow-on.

Openers Saeed Anwar (40) and Shahid Afridi (52) started off positively and put on 63 runs for the first wicket on a slow Gaddafi Stadium wicket.

England introduced its spinners early in just the ninth over. Part-time off-spinner Graeme Hick had Anwar leg before off his second delivery after the left-hander hit four boundaries.

Afridi, who holds the world record for the fastest century in one-day internationals, played in his typical aggressive style and hoisted Hick for a straight six before holing out to Darren Gough at long off to give left-arm spinner Ashley Giles his first wicket.

Afridi's 52 which came off 68 deliveries also featured six boundaries.

England resumes play in the morning at the overnight 393 for six. England lost two wickets to Mushtaq's off-spin, but not before number nine Ashley Giles and Ian Salisbury frustrated Pakistan bowlers for 132 minutes and put on 70 runs for the eighth wicket.

Mushtaq said the pitch was slow and it was difficult to take wickets.

"I did not expect to take eight wickets before the start of the match. I think England batsmen, especially (Graham) Thorpe and (Craig) White batted brilliantly and later even their tailenders batted superbly," Mushtaq said.

Mushtaq added the wickets of overnight batsman Ian Salisbury (31) and denied Craig White his maiden test century when he had him caught close to the wicket in his second over of the day.

White, 89 overnight, hit paceman Wasim Akram for an attractive boundary in the covers, before he was snapped up by Yousaf Youhana at forward short leg. White's career-best 93, which included nine fours and two sixes, lasted just 10 minutes under five hours.

Giles remained unbeaten on 37 while Andrew Caddick was not out on five when England declared.

Scoreboard at the end of third day of play in the first cricket test between Pakistan and England Friday.

England First Innings (Overnight 393 for 6) Michael Atherton c Youhana b Mushtaq 73 Marcus Trescothick c Elahi b Mushtaq 71 Graham Thorpe c and b Mushtaq 118 Alec Stewart lbw b Mushtaq 3 Nasser Hussain c Akram b Mushtaq 7 Graeme Hick lbw b Mushtaq 16 Craig White c Youhana b Mushtaq 93 Ian Salisbury lbw b Mushtaq 31 Ashley Giles not out 37 Andrew Caddick not out 5 Extras (byes-3, leg byes-13, no balls-10) 26 Total (For 8 wickets declared) 480

Fall of wickets: 1-134, 2-169, 3-173, 4-183, 5-225, 6-391, 7-398, 8-468

Did not bat: Darren Gough

Pakistan Bowling Wasim Akram 22-8-40-0 (4-no balls), Abdur Razzaq 22-6-55-0 (2-no balls), Saqlain Mushtaq 74-20-164-8 (3-no balls), Mushtaq Ahmed 44-6-132-0 (1-no ball), Shahid Afridi 18-6-38-0, Qaiser Abbas 16-3-35-0

Overs: 196

Pakistan First Innings

Saeed Anwar lbw b Hick 40 Shahid Afridi c Gough b Giles 52 Salim Elahi not out 15 Inzamam-ul Haq not out 11 Extras (leg byes-1) 1 Total (For 2 wickets) 119

Fall of wickets: 1-63, 2-101

To bat: Yousuf Youhana, Qaiser Abbas, Moin Khan (captain), Wasim Akram, Abdur Razzaq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Mushtaq Ahmed

England Bowling= Darren Gough 4-1-16-0, Andrew Caddick 7-1-16-0, Ashley Giles 16-4-38-1, Ian Salisbury 9-0-22-0, Graeme Hick 4-0-26-1

Overs: 40

Toss: England

Umpires: Riazuddin (Pakistan), Darrell Hair (Australia); TV replays: Salim Badar; match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka).