On October 16, 2024, Ben Duckett showcased his skills, leading England’s aggressive response to Pakistan’s formidable total of 366 runs. Duckett’s brisk fifty put England in a strong position early in their innings on the second day of the first Test match, following Pakistan’s commanding batting display.
Pakistan’s innings had started on a solid note with several contributions from their top and middle order, leading them to a challenging score of 366. Imam-ul-Haq played an essential role in anchoring the innings, with support from Saud Shakeel, who added crucial runs to push Pakistan toward their target. The tail also contributed valuable runs, frustrating England’s bowlers as they looked to wrap up the innings.
When England came out to bat, they faced the tough challenge of negotiating Pakistan’s pace attack on a pitch that had begun to show signs of wear. Opening the innings alongside Zak Crawley, Duckett immediately set the tone by attacking the new ball. His aggressive approach put the Pakistan bowlers under pressure, allowing England to settle quickly and begin chipping away at Pakistan’s total.
Duckett’s fifty came quickly, and he played several stylish shots to the boundary. His partnership with Crawley was crucial, as they steadily built England’s score and resisted the early efforts of Pakistan’s pace bowlers, who could not make breakthroughs. Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, found it challenging to contain Duckett’s onslaught. Despite a few pressure moments, Duckett remained composed, finding gaps and running between the wickets efficiently.
Shaheen Afridi bowled with pace and aggression, but Duckett’s response was confident. Afridi, who had picked up key wickets in previous matches, struggled to trouble Duckett, who seemed to read the conditions well. Afridi’s bowling partner, Naseem Shah, also had a tough time keeping Duckett in check as England progressed at a rapid rate. Pakistan’s spin options, including Abrar Ahmed, found it hard to grip the ball due to the early morning dew, and Duckett took full advantage of these conditions.
As Duckett approached his half-century, the Pakistan fielders tried to build pressure by cutting off singles and setting defensive fields. However, Duckett’s ability to pierce the field and his calculated aggression meant that he continued to score at a brisk rate. His fifty came off just 60 balls, an impressive feat in Test cricket, where typically batsmen take their time to build innings.
Meanwhile, Zak Crawley played a supporting role, rotating the strike and ensuring that the partnership kept progressing. His steady play allowed Duckett to take the lead in attacking the bowlers. England’s openers worked in sync, with Crawley keeping his wicket intact while Duckett did the bulk of the scoring.
By the time Duckett reached his fifty, England had already crossed the 100-run mark without losing a wicket, putting them in a strong position to chase Pakistan’s total. Duckett’s innings wasn’t just about aggression; it was also about smart cricket. He picked the right deliveries to attack, leaving good balls alone and taking advantage of anything loose offered by the Pakistan bowlers.
As the day progressed, Duckett showed no signs of slowing down. His confidence at the crease grew with each boundary, and he seemed set for a bigger score. England’s approach was clear – they wanted to take the game to Pakistan and not allow the bowlers to settle into a rhythm. Duckett’s aggressive strategy worked well for England, allowing them to dictate the pace of the game.
Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, tried different bowling combinations to break the partnership, but none proved successful. The pressure was firmly on Pakistan as England continued their dominant display with the bat. With Duckett looking comfortable at the crease and Crawley providing stable support, England appeared to be on course for a substantial first-innings total.
The next sessions of the day would be crucial for both teams. Pakistan needed to find a way to break the partnership and take quick wickets to regain control of the match. England, on the other hand, would look to build on the platform set by Duckett and Crawley to ensure a solid first-innings lead.
As the day came to an end, Duckett’s aggressive fifty had undoubtedly swung the momentum in England’s favor. With the pitch likely to deteriorate further as the game progresses, Duckett’s innings will play a pivotal role in setting the tone for the rest of England’s response. Pakistan will need to regroup and come up with a new strategy to counter Duckett’s brilliance if they hope to keep the game competitive,
