PAKISTAN'S multi-dimensional attack provided a late but clinical response to another encouraging display by England's batsman to leave the outcome of the second Test in the balance at the Iqbal Stadium.

For the best part of two months England have been planning for a battle of technique against their opponents' brilliant spin attack on helpful pitches designed to exploit their inexperience in these conditions.

They even exceeded expectations by getting the better end of a draw in the opening Test and, facing another examination of their ability to handle world-class spinners yesterday, they once again achieved a pass mark by frustrating Pakistan until just six overs before the close of day three.

But Pakistan's cricket is not centred on spin alone, and after taking the new ball late in the day Wasim Akram and Abdur Razzaq reminded the tourists of the talented seam resources they also have available.

After reaching a comfortable 274 for five with sights firmly set on a first-innings advantage, England lost three wickets in five balls to finish on 282 for eight and will resume still trailing by 34 runs on an increasingly inconsistent pitch.

From the very start of the day, when England resumed 216 runs adrift on 110 for three having lost two late wickets the previous evening, they showed patience, determination and skill to frustrate Pakistan.

Nightwatchman Ian Salisbury (33) helped Graham Thorpe (79) forge a 97-run partnership lasting more than three hours, and further contributions from Alec Stewart and Graeme Hick had set the tourists up nicely.

''A lot of people might have thought that we would turn up there and they would run through us,'' said Thorpe.

''But we managed to dig our heels in and that was a crucial part in getting confidence in the dressing room high again.

''There's obviously a lot more cricket to go in this match. But we had second hit on this track, and I think we can be pleased with our performances.

Thorpe can take great credit for following up his superb century in Lahore with another composed display, guiding Salisbury through the nervy opening stages when one mistake would probably have enabled Pakistan to take firm control.

England, though, were reliant on a rare off-day behind the stumps from Moin Khan and another contentious umpiring decision for that early defiance, with both batsmen benefiting from reprieves.

Thorpe had added only ten to his overnight two when he pushed forward to Saqlain Mushtaq and got an inside edge on to his thigh which Moin leapt forward to take next to the stumps.

Pakistan believed they had dismissed England's most in-form batsman. But like fellow umpire Steve Bucknor - who erroneously gave Nasser Hussain out lbw the previous evening - Mian Islam was proved wrong by television replays.

Salisbury also enjoyed an escape, dropped by Moin after edging off-spinner Arshad Khan behind before the same bowler finally made the breakthrough by having England's unlikely No 4 caught off his glove for a gutsy 33.

Stewart scratched around for more than an hour without ever looking convincing against the spinners and it was little surprise when he was caught in the deep by Razzaq, driving against Danish Kaneria's leg-spin.

Thorpe, though, remained in control until Moin finally agreed to change the ball after 117.4 overs - a decision which may prove the turning point in the course of both the match and the series.

Wasim struck in his very next over, trapping Thorpe lbw when he was within 21 runs of claiming centuries in successive Tests.

With little time remaining in the day, Hick had the responsibility of preventing any further mishaps.

Instead, he miscued an attempted pull off the very next ball from Razzaq which flew high in the air and enabled Yousuf Youhana to take a running catch. And Ashley Giles followed two balls later.

l Mathew Sinclair's century and steady bowling enabled New Zealand to fight back on the second day of the second Test against South Africa at Port Elizabeth.

The 25-year-old Australian-born batsman made 150 - the highest score by a New Zealander in a Test against South Africa - as the tourists were bowled out for 298.

South Africa were restricted by accurate bowling to 123 for three in 52 overs at the close - to give the Kiwis a fighting chance of levelling the series.

Sinclair and Shayne O'Connor frustrated the South African bowling attack in an eighth-wicket stand of 73