Pakistan tightened their grip on the second Test in Multan with a commanding performance on Day 3. They stretched their lead to 209 runs after bowling England out for 291 and then adding crucial runs in their second innings. Pakistan’s dominance was spearheaded by Sajid Khan, who took an impressive 7 wickets, giving Pakistan a strong advantage heading into Day 4.
Pakistan’s Resilient Start
Resuming the day with England at 239/6, Pakistan needed a swift finish to the visitors’ innings, and they did not disappoint. With his second-best figures in Test cricket—7 for 111—Sajid Khan wreaked havoc on England’s lower order. Despite Jamie Smith and Jack Leach’s small contributions, England’s innings were wrapped up quickly, giving Pakistan a first-innings lead of 75 runs.
England started the day hoping for a bigger total but found themselves bowled out inside the first hour of play. Sajid’s spell proved too much for the English tailenders, with Carse and Potts falling victim to his clever spin bowling. A few boundaries by Leach and Shoaib Bashir delayed the inevitable, but Sajid ended the partnership, sending Bashir back to the pavilion with a well-taken catch at short mid-wicket.
Pakistan’s Strong Second Innings
Pakistan’s second innings began cautiously, with openers trying to navigate England’s spin attack. Shoaib Bashir provided an early breakthrough for England, dismissing Abdullah Shafique, who caught down the leg side. Shan Masood followed shortly after, edging a ball to gully, and Saim Ayub fell on the last ball before lunch, leaving Pakistan at 43/3 with a lead of 118.
Post-lunch, Pakistan added 91 more runs, extending their lead to 209. Mohammad Rizwan, who was expected to build a strong partnership, fell for 23 to Brydon Carse, marking the third time Carse has dismissed Rizwan in this series. Carse, battling a leg injury, was effective once again but received little support from his fielders, with Jamie Smith and Joe Root dropping two crucial catches.
Jack Leach managed to dismiss Kamran Ghulam, who was trapped in front of the stumps, but Saud Shakeel’s composed innings (30) helped Pakistan hold their position. England’s bowlers did find some assistance from the pitch, but Pakistan’s batters were more disciplined, further strengthening their grip on the game.
England’s Challenges with the Ball
England struggled to find consistent breakthroughs despite some early success. Shoaib Bashir was the standout bowler for England, picking up three wickets for 46 runs. Leach supported him, who also managed to break through Pakistan’s batting lineup. However, England’s fielding woes continued, with missed opportunities that could have swung momentum in their favor.
Brydon Carse, despite a dodgy leg, bowled with determination, dismissing Rizwan and creating chances that went begging. With Pakistan’s lead crossing the 200-run mark, England faces an uphill battle as they will need to dismiss Pakistan quickly and mount a significant chase in their second innings.
Key Players of the Day
Sajid Khan was the star of the day with his exceptional bowling performance. His 7-wicket haul not only helped Pakistan secure a crucial lead but also ensured England could not build a more challenging total. On the batting front, Saud Shakeel’s 30-n-out has kept Pakistan in control, and his steady presence will be vital as they look to extend their lead further on Day 4.
For England, Shoaib Bashir’s efforts with the ball have been commendable, but they will need more from their top-order batsmen if they are to stay in this match,
Brief Scores
| Team | Score | Performers |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 366 & 134/5 (lead by 209) | Sajid Khan 7-111, Saud Shakeel 30* |
| England | 291 all out | Ben Duckett 114, Shoaib Bashir 3-46 |
As the match heads into Day 4, Pakistan holds a commanding lead. England will need an exceptional bowling performance and a top-class batting effort in their second innings to have any chance of levelling the series. For now, Pakistan seems well on their way to a dominant victory in Multan.
