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*) lead England 291 (Duckett 114, Sajid 7-111) with 118 runs

The state of the surface in Multan can be summed up by Ben Stokes’ approach after his side were knocked out within the first hour on day three. Jack Leach and Bashir opened the bowling and Joe Root also got a few overs, while Pakistan briefly had two left-handed batters in the middle.

Bashir hasn’t had much success on tour so far, but showed signs that he could rise to the occasion. His third over provided the breakthrough, with Abdullah Shafique adjudged to have feathered a catch down the leg side – although it required some lengthy deliberation from the third umpire, Sharfuddoula, after England had gone to the DRS.

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

Shan Masood didn’t last long despite looking to direct the attack at Bashir, squared by one who tore away to hit the split for a sharp catch to Ollie Pope, just under the helmet at the second slip. There was plenty of turn and bounce for the England spinner and with the final delivery before half-time, Bashir dispossessed Ayub, who leaned forward to give Pope an easier chance.

It was all a far cry from the first Test on this ground, when just 13 wickets fell over the first three days. After seven sessions on the reused field, the counter was already at 23.

Sajid, whose four wickets in the evening session on day two had derailed England, took three of the last four, with only a final wicket stand of 29 – the fourth highest of the innings – threatening to limit Pakistan’s lead. Noman Ali was the other bowler to contribute, recording his 50th Test wicket as England’s last recognized batsman, Jamie Smith, tried to hit down the tail.

It didn’t take long for Sajid to start causing jitters in England’s lower order. Brydon Carse tried to sweep and drive but had little effect and after seeing an inside edge fall in front of his short leg he tried to go airborne – but hit Sajid in the throat for a long shot. Carse’s Durham teammate Matthew Potts fell off the offspinner in the next over and became confused as he walked over his stumps to be bowled through his legs.

With Leach for company, Smith decided it was time to switch; but their partnership lasted just eight balls as Smith was kept safely at bay to launch Noman out of the ground.