England secures innings victory in first Test; Pakistan’s losing streak continues

PEngland triumphed in the first Test against Pakistan, securing victory by an innings and 47 runs after dismissing the home team for 220 on the fifth and final day at the Multan Cricket Stadium this past Friday.

Pakistan etched their name in the record books as the first cricket team to lose a Test match despite amassing more than 500 runs in the first innings.

Additionally, Pakistan set an unfortunate record with six consecutive Test losses, and they have now played 11 Tests without a victory.

England swiftly dealt with Pakistan’s lower order in the first session of the day. Pakistan, resuming their second innings at 152 for six and needing 115 runs to avoid an innings defeat, saw spinner Jack Leach wreak havoc by claiming three of the four wickets in the morning. Unfortunately, Abrar Ahmad could not bat due to illness.

England dominated the fourth day’s play against Pakistan as the hosts were 152 for six in their second innings, trailing by 115 runs to avoid an innings defeat in the first Test match at the Multan Cricket Stadium. 

Pakistan got off to a poor start in their second innings with a deficit of 267 runs, as they lost six wickets for 82 in 24.2 overs. Salman Ali Agha (41 not out, 49b, 5x4s) and Aamir Jamal (27 not out, 48b, 2x4s) returned undefeated as the pair added an unbeaten 70-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

For the tourists, Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson bagged two wickets each.

Earlier, resuming their first innings at the overnight score of 492 for three, Joe Root and Harry Brook went on to record the fourth-highest partnership in Tests. The pair knitted a 454-run stand that saw Root amass a 375-ball 262, hitting 17 boundaries. This was Root’s sixth double century and his second double century against Pakistan.

The highlight of the fourth day’s play was right-handed batter Brook’s remarkable triple century, which made him only the sixth England batter to achieve the feat. Brook was eventually dismissed for 317 off 322 balls, smashing 29 fours and three sixes. England finally declared their innings on 823 for seven in 150 overs – the fourth-highest team total in Tests.

For Pakistan, Naseem Shah and Saim Ayub ended up taking two wickets apiece.