England vs Pakistan Test Series 2024. For both the teams this series is important as it is a part of the World Test Championship. 1st test is going on in Multan. After the Day 1 and 2 Pakistan is in a solid position after winning the toss and choosing to bat first. England is led by Ollie Pope as Ben Stokes is still not fit to play. It is a big blow for England because Ben Stokes is their skipper and prime all-rounder as well. Pakistan’s team is unchanged even after the series lost against Bangladesh.
Day 1 Highlights
Pakistan came to bat and they lost an early wicket when Saim Ayub got out at 4 runs. Skipper Shan Masood walked in to bat and he batted amazingly well. A positive intent from the captain raised the confidence of his partner Abdullah Shafiq as well. They played really well and the England bowlers had no answers against them.
Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafiq’s world-class partnership of 253 runs
A partnership that made the England bowlers frustrated and clueless. On a batting-friendly track, they took their chances and played fearlessly. Shan Masood played with a good strike rate throughout the innings and scored a massive century (151 Runs). Abdullah Shafiq also played a classical knock as expected from him and scored 102 runs. They had a partnership of 253 runs which made Pakistan’s hold strong in this match.
Pakistan ended the first day on a high note scoring 328/4, Saud Shakeel 35*, Naseem Shah 0*
Day 2 Highlights
The 2nd Day started with a surprise performance from Pakistan’s night watchman Naseem Shah. He was sent to bat when Babar Azam got out for 30 runs on day 1. Naseem Shah played really well along with vice-captain Saud Shakeel. He struck some big sixes to the spinners and played a helpful inning for the team scoring 33(81)
Saud Shakeel played a good inning he is Pakistan’s most consistent batsman in recent times. He has one of the best batting averages among young test players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Kamindu Mendis. He scored 82 runs on 177 balls. A calm and controlled knock in the middle helped Pakistan reach a big score.
Agha Salman’s great century in the middle
Agha Salman is Pakistan’s most valuable player in the middle as per my observations. He is a complete all-rounder with extraordinary batting skills and he is a decent spin bowling option as well. He played really well along with Saud Shakeel and the tailenders. Scored his 3rd hundred in test cricket and that’s also England is a big achievement. He scored 104 not out on 119 balls with 3 sixes and 10 fours.
England’s bowling failed to fire in the 1st Innings
England bowlers had tough conditions in Multan to face. Pakistan’s batting line was strong up against them and they were in attacking mode. Jake Leach was the top wicket takes with 3/160 and he bowled the most overs 40. Gus Attkinson and Brydon Carse who is having his test debut got 2 wickets each.
Zak Crawley leads England’s batting start
Captain Ollie Pope decided to open the innings for England with Zak Crawley. Unfortunately Naseem Shan in his 1st over got the wicket of Ollie Pope on a duck. It was a big blow for England at the start of the innings. Zak Crawley led the inning with his Bazball show and played really well along with all-experienced Joe Root. Zak Crawley scored a half-century with an impressive strike rate.
Stumps Day 2, Pakistan 556 all-out – England – 96/1 Zak Crawley 64* Joe Root 32*
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