Jos Buttler expects Zak Crawley's memorable 267 in the first innings of the third and final Test against Pakistan to be the start of a "very special career" for England. 

Buttler batted with Crawley through a 359-run fifth-wicket stand while making a century at the other end in England's mountainous 583/8 (declared). 

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The wicketkeeper batsman sees a player capable of continue performing like this and achieving greatness at the international level in Crawley.

"It's a pleasure to watch him from the other end," Buttler told reporters after Day 2 as England took three wickets late on Saturday to leave Pakistan reeling at 24/3. 

"He hits the ball incredibly hard, has shots all around the wicket and he's a great kid to bat with," he added on Crawley. "It's the start of a very special career. He's going to score a few more hundreds for England, no doubt."

"This will give him a huge amount of confidence, but an innings of that magnitude will give him so much more belief. He's got a level head too and he won't get ahead of himself."

Crawley, who surprisingly averages just 30.82 at the first-class level, showed good technique and excellent composure throughout his knock against bowlers of international class and also made a case to not be left out like he was earlier this summer when Ben Stokes couldn't roll his arm over. 

For Buttler, personally, while his second-innings 75 was crucial to England's win in Manchester, this hundred in Southampton must've brought some much-needed relief. 

The 29-year-old was facing question marks at his Test spot after going through a phase of poor form and that coinciding with less than ideal glovework behind the stumps. 

"A couple of games ago I was thinking I was about to get dropped so it just proves that you're never far away," he said. "You've got to maintain that belief in yourself. I've certainly questioned myself in the last few weeks, but I've found a good headspace to hang in there."

"I worked on a few things during the period of lockdown and it was good to reflect on my batting and some things I needed to improve," Buttler added. 

(Inputs from AFP)