Pakistan’s Multan Debacle

Pakistan created yet another unwanted record as they became the first side in the history to lose a test by an innings after scoring more than 550 runs in the first innings. The Men in Green crashed to an innings and 47 run loss to England in the first test of the three-match series in Multan.

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Shan Masood led from the front as he top-scored with 151 as Pakistan posted 556. Abdullah Shafique and Salam Ali Agha  also struck centuries for the hosts.

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In reply, despite losing Ollie Pope late on Day 2 for a duck, Joe Root and Zak Crawley blazed through 96-1 by the end of the day. Root cracked his 35th ton on third day and lifted England to 492-3 in Harry Brook’s company at the end of the day. The visitors batted deep into day 4 and declared at 823/7, bringing Pakistan’s bowling unit to its Knees.

Brook top scored with 317, while Root made 262 as the duo shared a record breaking stand of 454, surpassing the previous England Record.

Pakistan’s Batting Collapse

In reply, the hosts lost Shafique in the first ball of their second innings as Chris Woakes sent his stumps cartwheeling. Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel also departed cheaply.

This leaves Pakistan reeling at 82/6 at one stage. However, Salman Ali Agha and Aamer Jamal dug in to take the match into day 5. Salman was the first one to depart on day 5, perishing for a fighting 63-run Knock. Pakistan lost the remaining wickets shortly as Jack Leach picked up four scalps to bowl the Men in Green out for 220 as England took 1-0 lead. Masood, notably, is yet to win a test, having lost six out of six.

Multan will also host the second test, which will start on Tuesday, October 15.