Pakistan set England a challenging target of 297 runs and then reduced the touring side to 36 for two on a dramatic third day of the second Test, keeping their hopes of a series-levelling victory alive on Thursday.

Salman Agha, who was dropped twice early in his innings, played aggressively to score 63 as Pakistan were all out for 221 in their second innings, a contest heavily influenced by spin.

This left England with a significant total to chase to secure an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-Test series, but their batters found it difficult against the turning ball on a pitch that favored spinners from both teams.

England, still 261 runs short of their target, will look to vice-captain Ollie Pope (21) and batting stalwart Joe Root (12) to regain control of the chase when play resumes on Friday.

Earlier, Sajid Khan took seven wickets as Pakistan bowled England out for 291, giving them a handy lead of 75 at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

England, starting the day on 239-6, lost their remaining four wickets in the first hour. Off-spinner Sajid dismissed Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, and Shoaib Bashir to finish with impressive figures of 7-111. Left-arm spinner Noman Ali claimed the remaining three wickets as England succumbed to Pakistan's spin-heavy attack, which included Aamer Jamal as the lone seamer.

Recognizing the pitch's nature, England captain Ben Stokes opted for spin from both ends, pairing off-spinner Bashir with left-arm spinner Jack Leach. Stokes continued with spin even when Leach needed a break, bringing in part-time off-spinner Joe Root.

Bashir made the first breakthrough when he had Pakistan opener Abdullah Shafique caught behind for four. England successfully reviewed the original not-out decision, with replays confirming the faintest of edges.

Bashir (4-66) then dismissed Shan Masood for 11 after the Pakistan captain attempted to flick a ball and offered an edge to Ollie Pope at second slip.

Opener Saim Ayub (22) looked comfortable before falling to the same Pope-Bashir combination in the final delivery before lunch. Kamran Ghulam, who scored a century in his debut Test's first innings, made a fluent 26 before being trapped leg-before-wicket by Leach.

Carse dismissed Mohammad Rizwan for 23 but missed two regulation catches from Salman, which were spilled by wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and slip fielder Root.

Salman added 65 runs with Sajid (22) for the ninth wicket before being dismissed by Carse. England struggled early in their chase.

Opener Ben Duckett, who scored a quick century in the first innings, fell for a two-ball duck after missing his sweep shot against Sajid. Zak Crawley (three) was also dismissed quickly, stumped after being deceived by a flighted delivery from left-arm spinner Noman Ali.

Root ended the day with a reverse-swept four off the final delivery, signaling his intent to counter the Pakistan spinners.