The first Test of the series between Pakistan and England started in Multan. The cricket world got to see a thrilling sight in this match. The second Test has already seen a lot of drama, but thanks to England's brilliant performance, they achieved a historic victory. This article covers the main events of the third day of the second Test as well as a summary of the first Test.
1st Test Recap: Multan's Memorable Encounter
After chasing down Pakistan's mammoth first innings score, England won the first Test, which was played on October 7, 2024, in Multan. Batting first, Pakistan scored 556 runs thanks to remarkable efforts from Shan Masood (151 runs) and Salman Agha (104*). Despite the impressive batting display, England's comeback was spectacular, scoring an incredible 823 runs in their opening inning. With an incredible 317 runs, Harry Brook stole the show, while Joe Root added 262 runs.
Pakistan faced a tough challenge in their second innings, eventually managing only 220 runs, with Agha once again showing perseverance by scoring 63 runs. England secured a historic innings victory thanks to a brilliant performance from their bowlers, especially Jack Leach (4/30).
Main Performers and Reactions
Harry Brook won the Player of the Match award for his brilliant innings. Evaluating his performance, Brook spoke about how challenging it is to bat in the heat and stressed the importance of building alliances. Shan Masood said Pakistan needed to get better, highlighting the need to convert strong starts into game-winning efforts.
England's Ollie Pope praised the bowling unit and Brook and Root's batting partnership, while Pakistan captain Masood stressed the importance of a strong team spirit to move forward. Also, Brydon Carse, playing his first match, was lauded for his unwavering work ethic.
Day 3 of the 2nd Test
The game was equally exciting in the second Test. The visitors crumbled at 239/6 at stumps on the second day, and on the third day, England's top order struggled against the spin-heavy Pakistani attack. With a strong hundred of 114 runs off 129 balls, Ben Duckett had provided some security, but England lost crucial wickets at the last moment.
With four wickets and tremendous pressure on the English batting order, Pakistan's spinners, especially Sajid Khan, have proven their worth. Pakistan are looking to turn the tide of the series in their favour with pitch conditions being spin-friendly. With both sides trying to establish control with a deficit of 127 runs, the stakes are huge.
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