Sajid Khan’s remarkable late-day bowling performance helped Pakistan regain control on the second day of the Multan Test match, pulling England back just as they seemed poised to dominate once again. Ben Duckett’s rapid-fire century had placed England in a commanding position, but Sajid’s four-wicket haul turned the tide and put Pakistan back in the contest.
Duckett’s Dazzling Ton Sets Early Pace
England opener Ben Duckett looked unstoppable as he powered his way to a superb century, scoring 114 runs from just 120 balls. His aggressive play saw him putting Pakistan under immense pressure, with well-placed sweep shots and a quick run rate. Duckett forged crucial partnerships with Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, and Joe Root, making Pakistan’s bowlers toil for breakthroughs. His innings came after Pakistan posted 366 in their first innings, giving England a good platform to challenge the hosts.
England’s innings, however, wasn’t all smooth sailing. Zak Crawley was the first wicket to fall, dismissed by Noman Ali after scoring 34, leaving Duckett and Root to continue building England’s momentum.
Sajid Khan’s Game-Changing Spell
Just when England seemed to be cruising, Sajid Khan’s off-breaks took center stage. His bowling masterclass in the final session completely changed the complexion of the match. Sajid’s first breakthrough came when he bowled Ollie Pope with a sharp turning delivery that beat the batsman’s defense. He followed up by dismissing England’s talisman Joe Root, who chopped a ball onto his stumps while attempting a sweep.
Ben Duckett, who had been England’s standout performer, was next to fall, edging a drive to slip in Sajid’s next over. Sajid’s finest moment came when he bowled Harry Brook with a beautifully flighted delivery that turned sharply, leaving Brook stranded.
Sajid’s spell left England reeling, as they collapsed from 211/2 to 225/5 in the space of just a few overs. His efforts ensured that Pakistan clawed their way back into the match, leaving England in unfamiliar territory on a turning subcontinental pitch.
Pakistan’s Innings: Resilience and Grit
Earlier in the day, Pakistan’s batsmen showed resilience against England’s bowlers. Kamran Ghulam’s century and contributions from Saim Ayub and Mohammad Rizwan helped Pakistan post a competitive total of 366. England’s Jack Leach was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4 wickets, while Brydon Carse chipped in with 3.
Agha Salman and Aamer Jamal played crucial roles in the lower order, pushing Pakistan past the 300-run mark before England wrapped up the innings,
As Day 3 looms, Pakistan holds a 127-run lead, but the match remains finely balanced. England’s middle and lower order will need to step up against a rejuvenated Pakistan bowling attack if they hope to challenge the hosts further.
The stage is set for a thrilling final few days, with both teams eyeing crucial moments to take control of the series,
| Team | 1st Innings Score | Key Performers (Batting) | Key Performers (Bowling) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 366 | Kamran Ghulam 118, Saim Ayub 77 | Sajid Khan 4-86, Noman Ali 2-75 |
| England | 239/6 | Ben Duckett 114, Joe Root 34 | Jack Leach 4-114, Brydon Carse 3-50 |
