PAK vs ENG 2024/25, PAK vs ENG 2nd Test Match Report, October 15 – 19, 2024

Lunch Pakistan 366 and 43 for 3 (Ghulam 5*) leading In England 291 (Duckett 114, Sajid 7-111) by 118 runs

The mood in Multan can be summed up in the form of Ben Stokes, after his side were bowled out in the first hour of the third day. Jack Leach and Bashir opened the bowling and Joe Root was also given a few overs, and Pakistan briefly had two batsmen left in the middle.

Bashir has not enjoyed much success in the tour so far but has shown signs that he can rise. His third over produced the breakthrough, Abdullah Shafique was adjudged to have caught it behind leg – although it took a long time to be discussed by the third umpire, Sharfuddoula, after England went to DRS.

Shafique’s dismissal ended Pakistan’s opening stand for 9 – the ninth time in ten innings that he and Saim Ayub failed to reach double figures together.

Shan Masood didn’t last long, despite looking to attack Bashir, doubled up with a single that ripped a length to hit a superb catch to catch Ollie Pope, next to him under the second wicket. There were many turns and bounces from the England spinner and with the last delivery before the break, Bashir removed Ayub, who stepped forward to give Pope an easy chance.

It was a far cry from the first Test at this venue, where only 13 wickets came in the first three days. The tally had already reached 23 after seven sessions on the recycled pitch.

Sajid, whose four wickets during the evening session on the second day cost England, claimed three of the last four, with a final wicket of 29 – the fourth at the top of the innings – threatening to limit Pakistan. Noman Ali was the other bowler to contribute, picking up his 50th Test wicket as England’s last known batsman, Jamie Smith, tried to bowl off the tail.

It didn’t take long for Sajid to start playing jitters in England’s lower division. Brydon Carse tried to sweep and drive to little effect and after seeing the inside edge fall in front of short leg, he tried to go for air – he hit Sajid on the throat at long on. Carse Durham’s team-mate Matthew Potts fell in the offspinner’s next over, rolling as he crossed his stumps to be bowled into his legs.

With Leach in the company, Smith decided it was time to change gears; but their partnership lasted only eight balls, as Smith was caught safely at long-on trying to launch Noman out of the ground.