England endured another miserable day in Multan as Pakistan strengthened their grip on the first Test.
On a pitch that offered little assistance to the bowlers, Pakistan amassed 556 – Salman Agha becoming the hosts’ third centurion of the innings – with England’s reply hampered by an injury to opener Ben Duckett.
Duckett hurt his left thumb when taking a catch to dismiss Pakistan’s last man Abrar Ahmed, his absence at the top of the England order seeing captain Ollie Pope promote himself alongside Zak Crawley.
👏 Crawley and Root unbeaten at the close on Day Two 🏏
Match Centre: https://t.co/M5mJLlHALN
🇵🇰 #PAKvENG 🏴 | #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/DFxup26PET
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 8, 2024
Unfortunately, Pope’s selflessness was not rewarded as he lasted just two balls before pulling a short ball from Naseem Shah that seemed destined for the boundary only for Aamer Jamal to produce a stunning, one-handed catch at mid-wicket.
Crawley, who missed the recent series win over Sri Lanka through injury, batted well to reach a run-a-ball 64 not out at the close.
Joe Root also played well for his unbeaten 32 as England moved to 96 for one at the end of day two, a deficit of 460.
Pakistan started the day on 328 for four with England set for another day of toil in the field, and so it proved.
Saud Shakeel batted diligently for his 82 while night watcher Naseem Shah contributed a useful 33.
Naseem’s departure proved again the old adage that ‘one brings two’ as Mohammad Rizwan also went quickly without scoring. And with Pakistan at 397 for six, England were playing their way back into the contest.
That was until Salman got to work in the afternoon session. The 30-year-old took a particular liking to spinner Jack Leach although one big shot too many almost proved his downfall, Chris Woakes deemed not have taken the catch on the boundary after numerous replays.
A swept single saw him reach three figures and he finished on 104 not out before running out of partners.
