England Secures Historic Victory as Pakistan’s Batting Collapses in Multan Test

In a remarkable display of batting prowess, England secured a historic victory against Pakistan on the fourth day of the first Test in Multan. English players Joe Root and Harry Brook set new records with their extraordinary performances, leading their team to declare at an astonishing 823 runs for the loss of seven wickets.

Joe Root’s impeccable 259 and Harry Brook’s stellar 218 not only contributed to reaching England’s highest Test total in the past 86 years but also powered the visitors to a formidable 102-run lead by lunch. Their outstanding partnership of 409 runs broke the previous record for the highest stand in England-Pakistan Test matches, which was set at 363 by Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan in Leeds back in 2006.

Despite its reputation as a “batters’ paradise,” the Multan pitch came under scrutiny for not providing enough assistance to the bowlers. Speaking on the nature of the pitch, Kevin Pietersen commented that surfaces like Multan’s could potentially “destroy” Test cricket. Concerns over pitch conditions have grown, echoing previous criticisms directed at Pakistan’s pitches in Rawalpindi, which has faced sanctions in the past for similar issues.

Pakistan’s first innings had earlier shown promise, reaching 556 runs with notable centuries from Shan Masood, Agha Salman, and Abdullah Shafique. However, the second innings saw a dramatic collapse, leaving them at 82 for 6 under England’s bowling aggression. Not a single Pakistani batsman managed to surpass 30 runs, a feat that left the home crowd disappointed and vocal on social media platforms.

The late unbeaten partnership between Agha Salman and Aamer Jamal managed to stave off an innings defeat for Pakistan, with the hosts closing the day at 152 for 6. Pakistan remains trailing by 115 runs with only a handful of wickets in hand, and England would aim to wrap up the proceedings quickly come the final day.

As the match unfolds further, it underscores England’s formidable standing in Test cricket and casts a prolonged shadow over the current form of Pakistan’s team, which has faced critique following recent underwhelming performances across major tournaments. The evolving narrative promises further drama as England searches for a decisive win in Multan.