The Rawalpindi Test between Pakistan and England has so far been run fest for both sides. Batting first, the visitors piled up a mammoth 657/10 at a rapid pace of 6.5 an over with their four batters – Harry Brook (153), Zak Crawley (122), Ben Duckett (107) and Ollie Pope (108) – smashing centuries.

In reply, the hosts were 181/0 at stumps on Day 2 with Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq staying unbeaten on 89 and 90, respectively.

The Pakistani openers continued to frustrate the English bowlers on Day 3 as well. The duo put on 225 runs for the first wicket and also completed their respective centuries.

While the touring side managed to dismiss both openers, it wasn’t quite enough as they need wickets in clusters to produce result on a lifeless track. No wonder, the England team seemed desperate to take wickets.

Such was the desperation that star batter Joe Root was spotted shining the ball on spinner Jack Leach’s head during the third day’s play in Rawalpindi.

Notably, the ICC changed its regulations in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic and the players are no longer allowed to use saliva to shine the ball. This prohibition was made permanent in October 2022.

“It is ingenious, absolutely ingenious because you are no longer allowed to use saliva. Tests have apparently proven that sweat is much more effective in shining the ball as compared to saliva,” commentator David Gower said on-air.