James Taylor admitted England’s “massive frustration” at yesterday’s DRS ruling which allowed Mohammad Hafeez to hit another 95 telling runs against them in the third Test.

Day three also proved notable for Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik’s unexpected close-of-play announcement that he will retire after the match.

Three hours earlier, though, Hafeez was the centre of attention — when he was initially given out caught-behind off James Anderson, only for third umpire Paul Reiffel to overturn the verdict.

Regular audio and visual aids “Snicko” and “Hotspot” are not available in this series but there was still enough evidence for the decision to be changed.

Taylor described Hafeez’s reprieve on two as a “huge moment in the game.”

It was one too which brought an apparently spicy exchange between some of England’s agitated players and Pakistan’s cheeky 12th man Mohammad Rizwan.

As the decision was relayed from the third umpire, reserve wicketkeeper-batsman Rizwan — bringing out drinks during the break in play — goaded the opposition by crossing his arms to mimic the umpiring gesture which precedes a revised decision.

Hafeez went on to finish unbeaten on 97 out of a stumps total of 146 for three.

England will therefore almost certainly face a tough chase if they are to level the series in this final match.

Taylor said: “It was massively frustrating, obviously a massive wicket.

“You can see that in the context of the game now — he’s on 97 not out — so obviously a huge moment in the game.

“But personally, I can’t say I spend too long at night thinking about DRS.”

For that reason, he offered no opinion on the secondary, and final, decision-making process — but made it plain he thought the first call was the correct one.

“Yes, I did — and I think all the guys behind the stumps did as well,” Taylor added.

“Obviously the umpire did — that’s why he put his finger up.

“But the third umpire has a job to do and he made his decision.”

Rizwan’s party piece did not help England’s mood — but Taylor was diplomatic in his own recollections.

“I think we were frustrated he was smiling a little bit too much for our liking,” he said.

“I think he had fun while he was out there briefly.”

England began the day just 12 runs behind, with six wickets intact.

They finished it 74 behind, still needing seven more Pakistan wickets to set up their chase.

Taylor, however, remains optimistic.

“It was just disappointing not to kick on today — but that happens,” he said.

“We’re in a good position.”