STAFF REPORT
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s magical bowling by debutant Abrar Ahmed (7 for 114) and Zahid Mehmood (3 for 63) compelled English batters to close their innings at 281 in 51.4 overs just before the tea break of the second Test match of the series at Multan Cricket Stadium on Friday. Pakistan scored 102 for 2 in 20 overs in the first innings.
Despite losing the first wicket at 4 when Imam-ul-Haq without open his account at a total of 4 runs, Pakistan has consoled their position in the Multan Test. Babar played an unbeaten vital innings of 63 runs and his partner Saud Shakeel 32 not out aggregated 61 runs inning for the third wicket. James Anderson (1 for 4) and Leach (1 for 44) were the wicket-taker for England.
England team’s captain Ben Stroke won the toss and decided to bat first at the slow pitch of Multan. Winners of the Rawalpindi Test made only one change in the playing XIs Mark Wood got the place in the team and injured Liam had to take a rest while Green Shirts included three players in the playing XIs included Nawaz, Fahim Ashraf, and Abrar Ahmed replacing Azhar Ali, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah respectively.
England innings
England’s duo of opening batters Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley started the innings aggressively while Pakistan pacer Fahim Ashraf opened the bowling from Pakistan. Ben Duckett scored 63 runs while Pope made 60 runs. Mark Wood played sparking innings of 35 runs after wasting just 27 balls with the help of 8 fours.
Abrar Ahmed snared seven batters while Zahid claimed three wickets after conceding 114 and 63 runs respectively.
Summarized Scorecard (Multan Test):
England won the toss and decided to bat first
England Batting (First Innings): 281 all out in 51.4 overs
Ben Duckett 63 runs (49 balls, 4×9, 6×1), Ollie Pope 60 runs (61 balls, 4×5), Zak Crawley 19 runs (37 balls, 4×3), Mark Wood 36 not out (27 balls, 4×8), Will Jacks 31 runs (44 balls, 4×1, 6×2), Ben Stoke 30 (38 balls, 4×3, 6×1)
Pakistan Bowling:
Abrar Ahmed (7 for 114), Zahid Mehmood (3 for 63)
Pakistan Batting (First Innings) 107 for 2 runs in 28 overs
Babar Azam 61 runs not out (76 balls, 4×9, 6×1), Saud Shakeel 32 runs not out (46 balls, 4×5)
England Bowling:
James Anderson (1 for 4), Leach (1 fo44)
Pakistan (Playing XIs):
Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain & wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Ali, Fahim Ashraf, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Zahid Mehmood
England (Playing XIs):
Ben Stokes (c), Joe Root, James Anderson, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood
