Multan, Oct 10 (UNI) England put on a commanding display on the fourth day of the first Test against Pakistan at Multan Cricket Stadium, leaving the hosts precariously positioned at 152 for six in their second innings.
Trailing by 115 runs, Pakistan face the looming threat of an innings defeat as they continue to struggle in the face of relentless English bowling.
Pakistan’s second innings began under considerable pressure, having to make up for a 267-run deficit. The home side faltered early, losing six wickets for just 82 runs in 24.2 overs. However, a resilient partnership emerged between Salman Ali Agha and Aamir Jamal, who steadied the innings with an unbeaten 70-run stand for the seventh wicket.
Salman ended the day on 41 not out off 49 balls, while Jamal remained unbeaten on 27 off 48 deliveries.
For England, Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson shone with the ball, each claiming two wickets, further compounding Pakistan’s woes.
Earlier in the day, England resumed their first innings at a staggering overnight score of 492 for three, with Joe Root and Harry Brook consolidating their dominance through a record-breaking partnership.
The duo forged a remarkable 454-run partnership, marking the fourth-highest stand in Test history. Root’s innings was nothing short of spectacular as he scored 262 runs off 375 balls, including 17 boundaries. This innings marked Root’s sixth double century and his second against Pakistan.
The highlight of the day, however, was Brook’s astonishing triple century, making him only the sixth English player to achieve this milestone. He was ultimately dismissed for 317 runs off just 322 balls, with an impressive tally of 29 fours and three sixes.
England eventually declared their innings at an imposing 823 for seven in 150 overs, marking the fourth-highest team total in Test cricket.
Pakistan’s bowling efforts were led by Naseem Shah and Saim Ayub, who each took two wickets, but their efforts were overshadowed by England’s batting prowess.
As the match progresses into its final day, Pakistan must regroup and mount a formidable effort to avoid an innings defeat, while England looks set to continue their dominance in this thrilling contest.
Scores in brief:
Pakistan 556 all out in 149 overs (Shan Masood 151, Salman Ali Agha 104 not out, Abdullah Shafique 102, Saud Shakeel 82, Naseem Shah 33, Babar Azam 30, Shaheen Shah Afridi 26; Jack Leach 3-160, Brydon Carse 2-74, Gus Atkinson 2-99) and 152-6, 37 overs (Salman Ali Agha 41 not out, Saud Shakeel 29, Aamir Jamal 27 not out, Saim Ayub 25; Gus Atkinson 2-28, Brydon Carse 2-39)
England 823-7 (dec), in 150 overs (Harry Brook 317, Joe Root 262, Ben Duckett 84, Zak Crawley 78; Saim Ayub 2-101, Naseem Shah 2-157)
