Test Match Update: Pakistan Takes Upper Hand in Test Against England

The ongoing test match between Pakistan and England at the Multan Cricket Stadium has provided a captivating contest between bat and ball. Despite pre-match speculation about the pitch conditions, the surface presented a balanced contest on the first day, with Pakistan slightly ahead thanks to a stellar century by Kamran Ghulam.

Making his test debut, Kamran Ghulam came to the crease when Pakistan was struggling at 19 for two. His composed innings of 118, alongside a 149-run partnership with Saim Ayub, stabilized the Pakistani innings. Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja lauded Ghulam’s mental resilience and footwork against spin while noting areas for improvement against pace.

The pitch, which was used for the first test, played unexpectedly well, despite initial concerns. Srinivas Vijaykumar, a Cricviz analyst, highlighted that the PitchViz rating for the day was 5.2, indicating it was significantly more challenging for batters than in the previous test.

England’s bowling attack, led by Matthew Potts, Brydon Carse, and Jack Leach, worked diligently to create opportunities. Potts, speaking after the day’s play, noted that their discipline and basics had kept them in the game. “We created a lot of chances over the day,” he commented, adding that they were pleased with their position.

The Test saw reverse swing being a notable feature, challenging the batters and aiding England’s seamers. Steven Finn, a former England fast bowler, remarked on the nice rhythm achieved by the English pacers, particularly highlighting Carse’s line and length as a key factor.

Saim Ayub contributed a valuable 77, supporting Ghulam before Ayub’s dismissal, which exposed the middle order. However, the Pakistani tail-end could not capitalize fully, ending the day with a score of 366 all out.

In response, England’s innings faced a challenging start. The spin bowling attack of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali made significant inroads, putting the visiting side under pressure. By the end of play, England was struggling at 291 all out, giving Pakistan the upper hand as the match progresses.

As the game unfolds, Pakistan’s strategic selection, including Ghulam’s debut, appears to be justified. However, with the pitch likely to offer more to the spinners in the coming days, England hopes to regain momentum. The second day promises more intriguing developments in what has been a closely fought test series.