England made a strong start in the second test against Pakistan in Multan, but Pakistan’s middle order responded with resilience to reach 173-3 at tea on day one.
England’s Matthew Potts and Jack Leach troubled Pakistan’s top order, but Kamran Ghulam and Saim Ayub dug in to stabilize the innings.
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England’s Early Strikes
Pakistan, after winning the toss and opting to bat, found themselves in early trouble as England’s bowlers made the most of the conditions.
Jack Leach, England’s left-arm spinner, struck twice in quick succession, removing both of Pakistan’s openers. Abdullah Shafique was bowled for just seven runs in the eighth over, with the score at 15.
In the very next over, Leach struck again, dismissing Pakistan captain Shan Masood for three, leaving Pakistan at a precarious 19-2.
At that stage, Pakistan’s hopes seemed to be fading fast, but Kamran Ghulam, playing in his debut test match, and Saim Ayub, who was looking to make his mark after a career-best performance, stood tall.
Ayub and Ghulam’s Partnership Stabilizes Pakistan
After losing two early wickets, Saim Ayub and Kamran Ghulam came together for a crucial partnership that steadied the ship for Pakistan.
Ayub, the left-handed opener, played with determination and composure, crafting a well-deserved half-century. His knock of 77 included seven boundaries, and he seemed set for a bigger score before mistiming a shot off Matthew Potts’ penultimate over before tea.
Ben Stokes, the England captain, made a sharp catch at short mid-off to send Ayub back to the pavilion, breaking a 149-run partnership.
Kamran Ghulam, meanwhile, was the standout performer for Pakistan. In his debut test, he showed excellent temperament and skill, reaching an unbeaten 75 by the tea break. His innings featured five fours and a six, as he capitalized on the opportunities that came his way.
Pakistan’s middle-order will now look to build on this strong foundation, with Saud Shakeel, who was unbeaten on four at tea, joining Ghulam at the crease.
Pakistan’s Wholesale Changes
Following a disappointing innings defeat in the first test, Pakistan made significant changes to their playing XI. The team dropped several key players, including captain Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmed.
In their place, debutant Kamran Ghulam was brought in, alongside the spin trio of Sajid Khan, Zahid Mahmood, and Noman Ali. These changes reflected Pakistan’s desire to shake things up after a series of disappointing results, having lost six consecutive test matches.
Amir Jamal was the only fast bowler included in Pakistan’s lineup for this match, a bold decision given the typical conditions in Multan that favor spin bowling. The selectors hoped that the spin-heavy attack, led by Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, would be able to exploit the used pitch effectively.
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England’s Response
England also made a few changes to their lineup for this second test. Ben Stokes returned to captain the side after missing out due to a hamstring injury, replacing Chris Woakes in the squad. England also brought in fast bowler Matthew Potts for Gus Atkinson, looking to add firepower to their pace attack.
Potts made an immediate impact, claiming the crucial wicket of Saim Ayub just before the tea break. His consistent line and length troubled the Pakistani batsmen, and his partnership with Jack Leach, who finished the session with figures of 2-62, kept England in the hunt.
England, who lead the three-match series 1-0, will be eager to maintain their dominance in the series. However, with Pakistan fighting back, day two promises to be an intense battle between bat and ball.
What’s Next for Pakistan?
With Kamran Ghulam looking solid at the crease and Saud Shakeel joining him, Pakistan will aim to build on their current total when play resumes after tea. A strong score in the first innings will be crucial for the home side, especially considering the spin-friendly nature of the pitch in Multan.
The key for Pakistan will be to avoid another collapse and capitalize on the solid platform that Ayub and Ghulam have provided. If they can push towards 300 or beyond, they’ll put themselves in a strong position to challenge England and potentially level the series.
England’s Strategy Moving Forward
England will be looking to break Pakistan’s resistance quickly on the second day. Their bowlers, particularly Leach and Potts, will need to continue their disciplined approach, while Ben Stokes will be counting on his spinners to exploit the conditions further as the pitch deteriorates.
The upcoming sessions will be critical for both teams as they battle for control of the second test.
