Azhar Ali's magnificent return to form in an otherwise depressing situation for Pakistan became the main talking point on Day 3 of the third and final Test in Southampton. 

But not be forgotten was another fighting knock from wicketkeeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan, whose half-century (53) during a sixth-wicket stand of 138 with Ali also played its part in keeping the visitors' hopes of surviving with a draw alive. 

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Ali's great hundred (141) and Rizwan's fifty helped Pakistan post a semblance of recovery after being 75/5 in response to England's impregnable 583/8 (declared), reaching 273 all out. 

England captain Joe Root enforced the follow-on considering the uncertainty around the weather over the next two days. 

Before the visitors could start their second innings, the umpires decided to call off play due to bad light. 

Speaking after the day's play, Rizwan expressed confidence in his team's batting unit to come up with an inspiring escapist act and even give England a scare on the final evening. 

"We have a few batsmen who can score big, if we can take a 150-run lead then it will be tough for England," said the 28-year-old, who also praised his skipper's resolute knock under pressure against a quality English attack. 

"If you watched this innings closely, it was a superb innings. He worked on his head position...This was a fighting innings."

Personally as well, it must be really satisfying for Rizwan to once again stand up for the side when another cheap wicket and the home team would've had an end opened up a lot earlier. 

This was his second fifty of the series after playing just as difficult an innings in the previous Test. Rizwan, however, feels he can contribute more. 

"I work hard and I have belief that I carry to the crease," he said. "I don't care what the score is and who is bowling because I know I have done the hard work and the Almighty will reward me for my hard work."

(Inputs from AFP)