England’s second test against Pakistan is ’50-50′, according to assistant coach Marcus Trescothick.
The home side closed day three 198-4, 157 runs adrift of a 355 win target in Multan.
“We go into tomorrow with two possible outcomes. It will be an exciting time,” Trescothick told Test Match Special.
“We’ll know around noon how close it’s going to be. We’re very confident of what we’re going to achieve.”
England won a crucial wicket at the end of day three as Jack Leach had Imam-ul-Haq caught on a slip for 60.
This ended Imam’s fourth wicket of 108 with Saud Shakeel remaining on 54.
“When you’ve had a long time and they have a partnership together, you just want something to bring life back to life,” said former England fly-half Trescothick.
“It’s important to get into the late game to make it a bit easier tomorrow.”
England started the day 202-5, leading by 281. After Harry Brook completed his second hundred in as many Tests, captain Ben Stokes fell for 41 to spark a reckless England collapse from five wickets for 19 races.
“We wanted and probably expected a few more runs, but the style of play we use there will be that element of risk,” said Trescothick, who has played 76 Tests.
“We wanted to keep pushing the game forward. We lost a few wickets but still put ourselves in a really good position to win this game.
“You always want more points and being aggressive is our style of trying to do that. There are still a lot of points to get. We are still in a very good position.”
England, who have won a thrilling first Test, are looking to seal their first series victory against Pakistan outside the UK for 22 years.
“It seems equal,” Pakistan batting coach Mohammad Yousuf said. “We will approach tomorrow positively and obviously we are looking to win. Hopefully we get it.”
Pakistani fly-half Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan added 66 for the first wicket before the home side were overtaken by a stunning trio of deliveries from England leaders James Anderson, Ollie Robinson and Mark Wood.
Rizwan was knocked down by Anderson, captain Babar Azam shouldered arms to suffer the same fate as Robinson and Wood slotted through Shafique’s defense to leave Pakistan 83-3.
Imam and Shakeel could have been caught while in position, while England failed to determine when Imam should have been taken out, caught in the leg side, before Leach’s late strike.
“We have to play the same way as in the last partnership, not to rush us,” said legendary Pakistani striker Yousuf.
“We need a positive approach and play depending on the situation, depending on the ball. If you get a ball in your slot, kick it. If you get a good ball, take it easy.”
