Brook hoping to get back on track after fallow test match in terms of runs scored in both the innings at the second test.
Brook announced himself as a Test cricketer 2 years ago in Pakistan.
On the first day of their series against Pakistan, he was England’s fourth centurion as they amassed 506 for 4. He finally fell for 153 off 116 balls on the second morning after stealing 27 from an over from Zahid Mahmood.
He extended his incredible run of form in Pakistan, which began with a century in the 2022 PSL and continued with a historic T20I series, by scoring hundreds in England’s triumphs in Multan and Karachi after that innings. An England batter hasn’t enjoyed such a strong start to their Test career since Kevin Pietersen.
When Brook returned to Multan this month, he began with 317, the best innings England has scored in 34 years. However, Sajid Khan, who was watching more than 500 kilometres away, saw Brook clinging to spin. Sajid devised a strategy to spin the ball sharply out of the rough when he was called up for the second Test.
“There was a small patch outside off stump,” Sajid explained. “When he faced his first ball, I told Rizi bhai that if he plays like this again, I will get him out.” Brook stayed back as Sajid predicted, looking to punch through cover. But was beaten on his inside edge by a ball that kept low and had his leg stump knocked back.
In the second innings of England’s match, Brook was out again, this time to left-armer Noman Ali. In an attempt to swing a fullish ball over midwicket, he sat deep in his position. But the low bounce tricked him, and he was trapped leg before wicket. This was Brook’s least successful Test in Pakistan, with scores of 9 and 16. It was his first loss and his first Test without a hundred.
Brook stated on Tuesday that he has been talking about strategies against Sajid and Noman in front of this week’s final, but that one quiet Test right after a triple-hundred is not enough to raise any long-term issues. “They’re obviously both going to play a massive part in their team,” he stated. “Hopefully, it pays off and I play a big part in the game.”
Given how quickly Brook became an all-format regular for England, it is easy to forget that he has only played 20 Test matches. Despite his impressive record—he averages just under 60—he is still a work in progress. Brook has had a busy season, playing in 35 different forms since the beginning of April. This is including eight Test matches, five ODIs as a stand-in captain, and a T20 World Cup. The Rawalpindi Test on Thursday will finally end it. Even if he will only have a brief respite before England’s trip to New Zealand.
As a player in three formats, Brook is becoming used to the demands of the international schedule. He will soon become used to opponents focussing on what they believe to be possible vulnerabilities. He can help England win this series if he can avoid both of these problems and continue to score at his incredible three-figure average in Pakistan.