The first Test match between England and Pakistan at Multan took a dramatic turn as Day 2 concluded with England suffering a late collapse, despite Ben Duckett’s impressive fourth Test century. This match, part of a three-match Test series, has highlighted the fluctuating fortunes of both teams, with the conditions playing a pivotal role in the match dynamics.
England’s Strong Start
Day 2 began with England resuming their innings at a promising position, buoyed by the solid batting display from Duckett, who had been in excellent form leading up to this Test. Duckett, known for his aggressive style, showcased his skills against both pace and spin. He brought up his century with a series of well-timed strokes, driving the ball through the covers and deftly guiding it to the boundary. His innings not only provided a foundation for England but also instilled confidence among his teammates.
By the time England reached the tea break, they appeared to be in control of the match, sitting comfortably at 96 for one wicket, with Duckett and fellow opener Zak Crawley building a strong partnership. Crawley had contributed significantly with his steady approach, providing the stability needed at the top of the order. However, the crucial phase of the match unfolded in the final session of the day.
Pakistan’s Bowling Resurgence
Pakistan’s bowlers, initially under pressure, began to find their rhythm as the evening wore on. The turning point came when they tightened their lines and lengths, making it increasingly difficult for the English batsmen to settle. The pitch, which had seemed benign earlier, began to offer variable bounce, putting additional pressure on the batting side.
The breakthrough came when Duckett, having scored 119 runs, was dismissed by Shaheen Afridi, who produced a stunning delivery that nipped back in sharply. Duckett’s wicket opened the floodgates, leading to a swift collapse as England lost several wickets in quick succession. The middle order, which had shown promise, faltered dramatically, failing to handle the mounting pressure exerted by Pakistan’s disciplined bowling attack.
Late Collapse
The late collapse left England reeling, as they lost five wickets for just 40 runs. Joe Root and Ben Stokes, both pivotal players in the batting lineup, struggled to cope with the heightened intensity of the Pakistan bowlers. Root, known for his ability to anchor innings, fell victim to a beautiful delivery that turned sharply, leaving England’s batting lineup in disarray.
As the day came to a close, England found themselves at a precarious position, finishing at 96 runs for the loss of seven wickets. This dramatic turn of events shifted the momentum firmly in favor of Pakistan, who now have the upper hand heading into Day 3.
Pakistan’s First Innings Dominance
Earlier in the match, Pakistan had put forth a commendable first innings total of 556, largely thanks to the contributions from Shan Masood, who scored a magnificent 151, and Agha Salman, who remained unbeaten on 104. Their partnerships were instrumental in setting a challenging target for England, who will need to perform exceptionally well in their second innings to stay competitive.
The team’s depth in batting was on full display, with several players contributing significantly, a crucial factor that has often defined Pakistan’s success in Test cricket. The pace and spin duo of Shaheen Afridi and Yasir Shah played vital roles in containing the English batting order, ensuring that no single batsman could settle comfortably at the crease.