An absorbing day which ultimately belonged to the hosts who lead by 127 runs
In Multan, Pakistan spinner Sajid Khan made a significant impact by claiming three wickets in 10 deliveries, including centurion Ben Duckett, to leave England at 239-6 during the second Test on Wednesday.
The second day on a spin-friendly pitch saw Pakistan take control, with the hosts leading by 127 runs after posting a first-innings total of 366. England appeared to be in a strong position at 211-2, but Sajid’s quick dismissals of Joe Root (34), Duckett (114), and Harry Brook (9) in the final session changed the momentum.
From the other end, fellow spinner Noman Ali took the crucial wicket of England captain Ben Stokes for one, as England collapsed, losing four wickets for just 14 runs.
By the close of play, Jamie Smith (12) and Brydon Carse (2) were at the crease. With the Multan pitch, which also hosted the first Test, offering sharp turn, Pakistan will be aiming for a series-levelling victory by securing a first-innings lead. England currently leads the three-match series 1-0 after their innings victory in the first Test.
A total of 11 wickets fell during the day’s play, with Sajid finishing with 4-86 and Noman taking 2-75. Sajid bowled Brook, who had made a triple century in the first Test, with a sharply turning ball, and dismissed Root, who had scored 262 in the last match, by bowling him off an inside edge while sweeping.
“I watched the first Test on TV and noticed Brook tends to play on the back foot, so I had a plan and got him out,” Sajid said. “Root is one of the world’s best batters, so those wickets were special, but the job’s not done—we still need 14 more wickets to win.”
Earlier in the day, Ben Duckett had anchored England’s innings with his fourth Test century, scoring aggressively before being dismissed by Sajid, edging a drive to Salman Agha at slip. Duckett reached his century off 120 balls, having completed his half-century in just 47.
Sajid was brought into the attack in the second over as Pakistan hunted for early wickets, but England opener Zak Crawley survived twice. Crawley was eventually dismissed for 27, caught behind off Noman after Pakistan successfully overturned a not-out decision.
Earlier, Pakistan’s lower order frustrated England, adding 107 runs after resuming at 259-5. Jamal and Noman’s ninth-wicket partnership contributed 49 invaluable runs. Jamal was dismissed by Carse immediately after lunch, finishing with 3-50, while Jack Leach ended Noman’s 32-run innings, taking 4-114 in the process.