ENG VS PAK TESTS

That’s a wrap from the series opener then, folks! England has comprehensively asserted its dominance over the hosts and continue on their ascendancy with a 1-0 lead in this 3-Test series. The second match will be played at the same venue of Multan Cricket Ground and the bowlers would expect that there would be some assistance for them next time around. As no one would love to be toiled for over a hundred overs fielding in the heat, repeatedly. Well, jokes apart, 2nd Test begins on 15th October, Tuesday, and the first ball will be bowled at 5 am GMT. But the cricketing action continues to treat the fans across the world. There’s the Women’s T20 World Cup in full tilt. You can switch tabs and follow the matches there as well. But from here, we take your leave until the next match. Take care, ADIOS!

Coming to what has gone wrong with Pakistan in recent times? The team, fairly to say, has looked clueless to the challenges thrown at them and that's the reason they are in such a precarious position and them not being able to reap the benefits of home conditions is another area of concern. There was a lack of variability and effectiveness in plans with the ball and the team just crumbled with the bat under pressure, coupled with fielding lapses. It was just like a domino effect that hovered across the Pakistani camp. They need to find answers for all these issues and need to find them as soon as possible. They do have a talented squad and the only positives they can take from this game is the resilience displayed by the lower middle order with the bat. If only had the top order contributed, things might have been slightly different for the home side.

Ollie Pope, the winning captain, shared his thoughts after the match. He praised the bowlers for their excellent performance on Day 1, crediting the team for showing determination and putting themselves in a strong position. Pope remarked that when a team posts 550 runs, they often feel in control, but Pakistan found themselves trailing by 260 runs after coming out to bat again. He commended Harry Brook and Joe Root for their outstanding partnership, which shifted the momentum in their favor. Pope also highlighted the impact of Brydon Carse, who not only took crucial wickets but also set the field effectively, calling his debut performance 'sensational'. He also praised Jack Leach for seamlessly fitting back into the side.

Shan Masood, the captain of Pakistan is up for a chat. He says that they have spoken on the vulnerabilities of the third and fourth innings, and says that at the end of the day, it is a team game. Everything has its advantages or repercussions as a team. Mentions that when you put on a total above 550, it's important to back it up with 10 wickets. Reckons that 220 in the third innings, depending on what kind of lead you have can also be a good score. Appreciates England for picking all the 20 wickets. On the batting approach, he states that they need to find a way out of the collapse and that's the challenge a side has to go forward. Adds that it's the middle of the series and they have spoken about the squad mentality. Emphasizes that Test cricket is the ultimate format and the best teams find a way to win. Also says that scoring runs and taking wickets are the non-negotiables. In the end, he also mentions that they are hurt by the results and the nation as well as they are not getting the desired results that Pakistan cricket and the fans deserve. Concludes saying they have to get this right as a squad.

Harry Brook was awarded the Player of the Match for his exceptional batting performance, scoring a mammoth triple century at an almost run-a-ball pace. He expressed that he thoroughly enjoyed his innings, despite the intense heat, and was pleased to have built a strong partnership with Joe Root. He mentioned that their plan was to score as many runs as possible, emphasizing the importance of establishing a solid stand to reach the 300-run mark. Brook noted that staying hydrated was key in such conditions but felt that the pitch provided a good opportunity to capitalize on. He added that he hopes there are many more performances like this to come.

... THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ...

As the pacers toiled without reward, Pope finally turned to his spinner, Jack Leach. The change proved inspired, as Leach made an immediate impact. He carved through the tail with precision, eventually finishing with an impressive four-wicket haul. Leach's introduction marked the turning point of the morning session, swiftly bringing Pakistan's lower middle order's resistance to an end, helping England to win by an inning and 47 runs.

Cut to day 5, and the match resumed with Pakistan's overnight batters, Aamer Jamal and Salman Agha, continuing their resolute stand. Their partnership blossomed into a significant 109-run alliance, frustrating the English bowlers for over an hour. England, keen to wrap up proceedings, initially opted for an all-pace attack. Captain Pope rotated all his three seamers, but the lifeless pitch offered no assistance whatsoever in the morning.

As the fourth day drew to a close, the writing was indeed on the wall for Pakistan. England had asserted their dominance, and victory seemed all but assured. However, cricket's unpredictable nature showed itself once more as Aamer Jamal and Salman Agha mounted a stubborn resistance. This defiant partnership, while unlikely to alter the ultimate outcome, extended the result. Their gritty stand ensured that the match would extend into the fifth day, delaying England's seemingly inevitable triumph.

The tide finally turned in favor of the bowlers as the fourth day wore on. The pitch, which had been a veritable batting paradise, began to show signs of wear. Cracks started to appear and widen, introducing an element of unpredictability that had been sorely lacking. England's seam attack, spearheaded by the trio of Woakes, Carse, and Atkinson, seized this opportunity with both hands. They unleashed a devastating spell that tore through Pakistan's top and middle order with surgical precision on a deck that was largely torturous for the bowlers.

England batted for almost a day and a half. But notably, the pace at which they scored runs was intriguing. To cement how worse the conditions for the bowlers were, only 2 wickets fell on Day 3 and each day saw over 300 runs being piled up, with Day 4 going for 407 runs in total. Cut to Day 4, with the lead shrunk and eventually surpassed by England, the wheels came off and the tourists motored away at a brisk pace, taking all the control of the game from the claws of the hosts.

Harry Brook became the sixth English batter to score a triple ton while Root may have missed on his triple century, but became the highest run scorer for England in Test cricket, surpassing Sir Alastair Cook. Accumulating all this, England mounted the fourth-highest innings total ever in Test cricket - scoring 823/7 before declaring eventually. Duckett and Crawley too, sincerely contributed their part notching up their share of 84 and 74 respectively. Obedient to their Bazball approach, England amassed these runs in just 150 overs, while Pakistan posted their first inning total of 556 in just one less over than England.

There was next to nothing assistance for the bowlers since the track was as flat as a road and the batters had a feast on it, quite literally. The first two days were fairly sedate but the pace really picked up on the third day when England resumed their batting. Just when Pakistan thought they would run through the opposition with the ball, they were dealt by a batting masterclass from Joe Root and Harry Brook. The two toppled so many records which made the statisticians work overtime with their marathon partnership of 454 runs.

Now let’s have a brief recap of what transpired in this immersive Test. Days 1 and 2 were highlighted by Pakistan’s brilliance with the bat. They made the English bowlers sweat in the Multan heat for 149 long overs, mounting a total of 556 runs on the board on the back of three centuries coming from Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood and and late surge from Salman Agha. Pakistan looked under extreme control as they batted for almost two days.

AN INNING DEFEAT FOR PAKISTAN AND THE HOME SIDE HAS NOW LOST 6 TESTS ON THE BOUNCE! Also, this is the first time in Test history that a team has lost by an innings after scoring 500-plus in the first innings. So, there is plenty to ponder and contemplate for the Men in Green moving forward from here as their lackadaisical run in the longest format continues. For England, their away season has kicked off with a bang, and in a remarkable achievement, England has won all the matches when their opposition has scored more than 500 in the first inning, since Brendon McCullum took over as their head coach. This is an astonishing record and a template set by the Bazballers.

No more participation from the injured player and there's absent hurt written against the name of Abrar Ahmed.

OUT! STUMPED! That should be it. Abrar Ahmed is unable to bat for Pakistan. Jack Leach with a four-wicket haul to help England take a lead in this Test series. Leach drifts in a full ball, outside off. It grips and turns away sharply. Shah looks to hit it through the line but misses. The keeper, Jamie Smith does well to grab the ball and dislodge the bails. Naseem Shah is miles outside the crease. ENGLAND WIN BY AN INNINGS AND 47 RUNS.

OUT! STUMPED! That should be it. Abrar Ahmed is unable to bat for Pakistan. Jack Leach with a four-wicket haul to help England take a lead in this Test series. Leach drifts in a full ball, outside off. It grips and turns away sharply. Shah looks to hit it through the line but misses. The keeper, Jamie Smith does well to grab the ball and dislodge the bails. Naseem Shah is miles outside the crease. ENGLAND WIN BY AN INNINGS AND 47 RUNS.

SIX! This is massive. It is a full ball, around leg. Shah picks it up nicely and smokes it over the bowler's head for a biggie.