Multan Test: England’s batters set the stage for a result on flat pitch

England have seized command of the Multan Test match after dominant centuries from Joe Root and Harry Brook helped the team pile up a score of 492-3 by the end of the third day.

Root, with an unbeaten 176, and Brook, with 141 not out, showcased a combination of determination and aggressive play, leaving England just 64 runs short of Pakistan’s first-innings total of 556.

Despite the initial challenge posed by Pakistan’s hefty score on a flat, batting-friendly surface, England’s batsmen approached their innings with clear intent. Even after losing captain Ollie Pope early for a duck, England's lineup displayed a relentless pursuit of quick runs to keep their chances of forcing a result alive.

The goal was clear: break the stalemate on a placid pitch and push for victory, echoing the aggressive, result-oriented approach introduced by Ben Stokes, who led England to a 3-0 whitewash in their last series in Pakistan.

England’s aggressive intent

With Stokes sidelined due to an injury, Ollie Pope assumed the captaincy duties in this series. Although missing one of their most influential players, England's philosophy remains unchanged.

Ben Stokes during the third Test between England and Pakistan in Karachi in 2022.Reuters

Pope has adopted many of the tactics Stokes implemented during their previous tour. Stokes himself emphasized before the series that the team would continue to play in the high-risk, high-reward style that has defined their recent success. His bold aim of another 3-0 series win was a statement of intent, leaving no room for caution or settling for draws.

“Ollie has got that experience from being part of the squad last time, so I am sure he will take some of the tactics I used,” Stokes said in a pre-series interview.

This mentality was on full display as England's batters went after the bowling attack with a scoring rate of over five runs per over throughout their first innings.

Root and Brook dominate

Joe Root celebrates after reaching his 35th Test century in Multan.Reuters

Root, the former England captain, provided the foundation for England's powerful response. Starting the third day on 32 not out, Root quickly made headlines by surpassing Alastair Cook’s tally of 12,472 runs to become England’s all-time leading Test run-scorer. He achieved this feat in characteristic style, elegantly driving Aamer Jamal for four to seal his place in the record books.

Following his milestone, Root continued to anchor the innings, shaking off cramps after lunch to reach his 35th Test century.

At the other end, Harry Brook played an equally vital role, maintaining England’s brisk scoring rate. Brook brought up his sixth Test century in 118 balls, showing confidence and composure. Together, Root and Brook formed a formidable partnership that wore down Pakistan’s bowlers, extending England's dominance on a pitch that, for much of the match, seemed destined to produce a draw.

Earlier in the day, England resumed their innings at 96-1. Zak Crawley, who had been in good touch, fell for 78 when he mistimed a shot off Shaheen Afridi and was caught at mid-wicket. But this setback did little to slow England’s momentum. Ben Duckett, who was nursing a dislocated thumb, came out swinging, dispatching Pakistan’s spinners, particularly Abrar Ahmed, with a series of boundaries. Duckett reached his half-century off just 45 balls but was eventually trapped lbw by Aamer Jamal for a quick-fire 84.

Despite these wickets, England’s aggressive approach continued unabated. By the time the third day ended, Root and Brook had pushed England into a commanding position, with only 64 runs separating them from Pakistan’s first-innings total. With seven wickets still in hand, England looks poised to extend their lead on day four and set Pakistan a challenging target.

Tactical gambles and Pakistan’s dilemma

The significance of England’s approach cannot be overstated. On flat wickets in Pakistan, where games can drift towards dull draws, the ability to force a result depends on maintaining pressure and seizing opportunities when the conditions start to change.

It was evident that England entered the series with a plan to out-bat Pakistan, then use the later stages of the game to test Pakistan’s resolve, banking on the pitch deteriorating to help their bowlers find breakthroughs in the second innings.

A batting-friendly track, prepared by Pakistan to avoid recent home defeats, has so far failed to trouble England’s confident lineup. Pakistan, still reeling from a humiliating whitewash at the hands of Bangladesh, shaved off the grass to minimize the advantage of England’s bowlers. However, this strategy has played into England’s hands.

Sallu lambasts flat wicket

Former Test cricketer Salahuddin Sallu has lashed out at Pakistan’s strategy to prepare such a pitch.

“It is ridiculous that such a flat wicket has been made which has nothing for the bowlers. Even spinners were seen struggling throughout,” Sallu told Nukta after the third day’s play.

“Fearing a defeat will not serve any purpose and such a strategy will not help in the development of cricket,” he added.

The question now for Pakistan is whether they can handle the pressure if England manages to accumulate a substantial lead and create a scenario where their batsmen must survive on a deteriorating pitch. Cracks on the surface may widen as the game progresses, and uneven bounce or spin could expose vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s batting lineup.

England’s aggressive play and clever field placements have put them in a position to exploit any weakness, and if Pakistan's batting falters in the second innings — as it did against Bangladesh — they could find themselves fighting to save the match on the final day.