Pakistan Struggles as England Sets 823 Run Target

• England set a record of 823 runs in their second innings.
• Pakistan’s innings faced difficulties from the start.
• The Multan Test is expected to be a historic encounter.

MULTAN: England set a staggering total of 823 runs in their second innings, marking the fourth-highest score in Test match history. In response, Pakistan’s batting order struggled significantly during their second innings.

Opening batsman Abdullah Shafique was dismissed without scoring, falling to Chris Woakes on the very first ball. Young player Saim Ayub managed just 25 runs before being caught by Ben Duckett off Brydon Carse’s bowling.

Captain Shan Masood added only 11 runs before he was dismissed by Gus Atkinson, while star batter Babar Azam could only contribute 5 runs. Mohammad Rizwan provided a brief spark with 10 runs, but the pressure continued to mount as the innings disintegrated. Saud Shakeel ended up not out on 13 runs, while Salman Ali Agha faced eight balls without scoring.

With their batting lineup faltering, Pakistan faces a daunting task to salvage the match as England looks to capitalize on its commanding position. Harry Brook was the standout performer for England, scoring a remarkable 317 runs off just 322 balls, while Joe Root contributed a solid 262 runs from 375 balls.

Brook reached his double century by hitting a four off spinner Saim Ayub, making him the sixth English player to achieve 300 or more runs in a Test match. His innings included 28 fours and three sixes. He joins an elite group of English players, including legends like Andy Sandham, who was the first to score a triple century in Test cricket with 325 against the West Indies in 1930.

Despite Brook’s remarkable achievement, Pakistan’s innings encountered difficulties from the start, with Abdullah Shafique falling for a duck. Joe Root, on the other hand, narrowly missed his maiden triple century, being dismissed leg-before by spinner Agha Salman for 262 shortly after lunch.

As England asserts its dominance, the Multan Test is poised to be a historic encounter, with Pakistan needing to regroup and deliver a stronger performance in their remaining innings.