Ben Foakes scored an unbeaten 89 yesterday before the Curran brothers made early inroads to leave England Lions in a strong position against Afghanistan.

The Lions quickly polished off the Afghanistan tail at the start of day three in Abu Dhabi but could only post 210 in their second innings as 18-year-old Rashid Khan took eight for 74 to finish with match figures of 12 for 122.

England’s second-string needed a strong start defending a target of 217 and Tom and Sam Curran delivered to reduce Afghanistan to 18 for three at stumps.

Afghanistan had earlier failed to add to their overnight 273 for nine as captain Toby Roland-Jones took his sixth wicket to give the Lions a six-run lead on first innings.

Nick Gubbins and Tom Westley guided the Lions to 54 for one but they collapsed to 152 for seven before Foakes, who had made 70 in the first innings, followed up with a patient and skilful unbeaten 89 second time around to leave Afghanistan with a testing chase.

Tom Curran claimed two wickets in three balls and brother Sam then dismissed Afsar Zazai in the final over to set up a fascinating fourth-day finish to the Lions’ historic first-class match.