England vs Pakistan 1st Test, Day 3: 5 talking points

#2. The partnership between Jos Buttler and Dominic Bess

Buttler and Bess kept England in the game

England were off to a poor start but a 60-run partnership between Joe Root and Dawid Malan kept them in a decent position. However, Malan's dismissal was the beginning of a quick falling of wickets as the hosts lost Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes early before losing the well-settled Root.

At this stage, England were 110/6 with Jos Buttler and Dominic Bess at the crease. There was a good chance that the hosts might suffer an innings defeat.

However, Buttler and Bess batted calmly and brilliantly. They hit some wonderful boundaries off the Pakistan bowlers and stitched the first century partnership of the match.

Both batsmen reached their fifties and were able to bat for the remainder of the day. Buttler ended with 66 from 130 balls while Bess ended with 55 from 101 deliveries with their partnership at 125 runs.