Smith hits England out of a deep hole

JAMIE WHACKS HOSTS WITH SIX OF THE BEST

- Rory Dollard

JAMIE SMITH felt his six-hitting exploits helped "change the momentum" after a stuttering start in England's series-deciding Pakistan.

Test against The tourists were at risk of throwing the game away on day one in Rawalpindi, slipping to 118-6 after choosing to bat first, but Smith's counter-attacking flurry from No. 7 put them back on an even keel.

On a spicy, turning surface that saw spinners take 12 of the 13 wickets to fall, Smith found a way to return fire as he made a dashing 89.

The wicketkeeper smashed six sixes and five fours in a crucial fightback during the afternoon session, lifting England to 267 before Pakistan managed 73-3 in response.