England batters shatter records, edge closer to win in Multan

England’s record-breaking first innings in the Multan Test have turned the tables on Pakistan in a match that initially seemed destined for a draw. With the hosts on the ropes and the pitch offering more for the bowlers, England are poised to capitalize and secure a famous win on the final day.

Coming into the match, Pakistan were desperate to reverse their recent fortunes, having suffered a string of defeats, including a humiliating whitewash at the hands of Bangladesh at home. Winning the toss and electing to bat first on a flat Multan pitch, they took full advantage of the favorable conditions.

Pakistan’s top-order came together to deliver a commanding first innings total of 556, with centuries from Shan Masood, Abdullah Shafique and Salman Ali Agha. Their strategy was simple: shave off the grass and take away England’s bowling edge. However, the flat nature of the pitch, which Pakistan believed would nullify the English bowlers, ironically set the stage for England's batters to thrive.

England’s record-breaking response

What followed was a breathtaking reply by England. England’s top order set out with a clear intent to out-bat Pakistan, and it soon became evident that they were about to break several long-standing records.

Joe Root and Harry Brook combined for a 454-run partnership in Multan Test.Reuters

Harry Brook and Joe Root became the stars of the show, forging a remarkable 454-run partnership for the fourth wicket, the highest ever by an England pair in Test cricket. Brook, in particular, was the standout performer, scoring a monumental 317 off just 322 balls. His innings, which included 29 boundaries and three sixes, was a combination of patience and aggression, as he carefully navigated Pakistan's defensive leg-side field placements before exploding into a flurry of boundaries.

Root, meanwhile, continued his remarkable run of form. He surpassed Alastair Cook’s record of 12,472 Test runs, becoming England’s all-time leading run-scorer in the longest format of the game. Root’s innings of 262 was his highest score in Test cricket, bettering his previous best of 254, also scored against Pakistan in 2016. His knock was a masterclass in concentration and endurance, as he batted for over ten hours, smashing 17 boundaries in the process.

Together, Brook and Root propelled England to a staggering 823-7 before they declared their innings, securing a 267-run lead over Pakistan’s first-innings total. England’s total is the fourth-highest in Test cricket history and their highest since World War II. It is also the highest total ever conceded by Pakistan in a Test match and the highest score by any team on Pakistani soil, eclipsing Pakistan’s own record of 765-6 in 2009.

Pakistan struggle in the second innings

After being in the field for nearly two days and conceding over 800 runs, Pakistan’s batters faced an uphill task to save the match.

England wasted no time in applying pressure, with Chris Woakes delivering a perfect first ball in Pakistan’s second innings, bowling opener Abdullah Shafique for a golden duck. The early breakthrough set the tone for England’s bowling attack, which relentlessly pursued Pakistan’s batters.

Saim Ayub and Shan Masood briefly held off the English attack, with the Pakistan captain surviving a couple of dropped catches. However, Masood’s luck ran out when Gus Atkinson dismissed the Pakistan skipper for just 11 runs after tea. Atkinson wasn’t done yet, as he returned to remove Pakistan’s struggling captain Babar Azam for just five runs in the same spell.

Brydon Carse added to Pakistan’s woes by removing Saim Ayub for 25 on his very first ball of the innings. Pakistan’s collapse continued as Carse dismissed Mohammad Rizwan for 10, leaving Pakistan teetering at 59-5, a mere shadow of their dominant first innings performance.

Fighting to survive

Jack Leach in action during the first Test between Pakistan and England in Multan.Reuters

Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha offered some resistance, with Shakeel managing to score 29 before falling to Jack Leach’s spin. By the end of day four, Pakistan had limped to 152-6, still trailing by 115 runs with only four wickets in hand. The pressure of erasing the deficit, combined with the cracks on the pitch, has put Pakistan in a perilous position.

The final day will be a true test of Pakistan’s resilience, as they will need to produce a monumental effort to survive against an England attack that smells victory. With the likes of Agha (41 not out) and Jamal (27 not out) still at the crease, Pakistan will hope for a miracle to avoid an embarrassing defeat.