Sajid Khan strikes to put Pakistan on top despite Duckett’s ton

Ben Duckett's attacking century was tempered by a late fightback from Pakistan's spinners, especially Sajid Khan, whose four-wicket haul left England at 239-6, trailing by 127 runs at the end of day two of the second Test in Multan.

The day began with Pakistan's lower-order chipping in with some runs after they resumed on 259-5.

Seamer Brydon Carse (3-50) dismissed Mohammad Rizwan for (41) but Salman Agha (31), Aamer Jamal (37) and Pakistan's number 10 Noman (32) produced defiant cameos to take the hosts to 366.

Attacking start by England

England openers got off to an aggressive start, led by Ben Duckett’s authoritative innings. Duckett, continuing his excellent form from the first Test, played with intent from the outset. Partnering with Zak Crawley, he put on a breezy 73-run opening stand, which kept Pakistan on the back foot for much of the first session.

Crawley, however, led a charmed life during his stay at the crease. He survived a run-out scare early on when Sajid Khan broke the stumps before collecting the ball cleanly. Sajid redeemed himself in the next over when he trapped Crawley lbw, only for the decision to be overturned on review. Replays showed the ball missing the stumps by the narrowest of margins, allowing Crawley to continue.

However, Crawley failed to capitalize on his luck and was dismissed soon after for 27. Left-arm spinner Noman Ali tempted him into a shot that found the edge, and after some hesitation, captain Shan Masood successfully reviewed the not-out decision to give Pakistan their breakthrough.

Duckett, unfazed by the loss of his opening partner, soldiered on, bringing up his fourth Test century in 120 balls. His tally now includes four tons and 11 fifties. This was his second Test ton versus Pakistan.

His innings, studded with precise sweeps and drives, frustrated the Pakistani bowlers. He effectively used the sweep shot to counteract the sharp turn being offered by both Sajid and Noman. Duckett’s partnership with Ollie Pope further steadied England, adding 52 runs before Sajid Khan struck to break the stand.

Pope fell to a classic off-spinner’s dismissal, bowled through the gate for 29 as he attempted a drive off a tossed-up delivery. Sajid’s ball spun back in, finding the gap between bat and pad to rattle the stumps. It was a moment of relief for Pakistan, as they had struggled to contain Duckett and Pope's partnership.

Pakistan fightback

Pakistan turned the tide in the final session, thanks largely to Sajid Khan. After dismissing Pope, Sajid returned to claim three more vital wickets, starting with the prized scalp of Joe Root for 34.

Root had shared a threatening 86-run partnership with Duckett, but Sajid’s accuracy and turn were too much for the former England captain. Root was bowled by a delivery from the off-spinner, unsettling England’s momentum.

Duckett, having played a superb innings of 114, was Sajid’s next victim. In what turned out to be the turning point of the day, Duckett misjudged a full, wide delivery from Sajid, trying to drive through the off side. The ball turned more than expected, taking the edge of Duckett’s bat and landing safely in the hands of the first slip.

Sajid wasn’t done yet. On the very last ball of his over, he bowled a delivery that sneaked past Harry Brook's bat and crashed into the stumps, sending Brook back for just 9. England, who had looked comfortable for much of the day, suddenly found themselves in trouble.

Pakistan's Noman Ali celebrating after dismissing England captain Ben Stokes during the second Test in Multan.PCB

To add to their woes, Noman Ali dismissed England captain Ben Stokes for a solitary run in the following over, leaving England’s lower order exposed.

With the top six back in the pavilion, England ended the day with Jamie Smith (12 not out) and Brydon Carse (2 not out) trying to survive a tricky final half-hour.

The pair successfully held out, blocking most of the deliveries from Sajid and Noman, but the pressure remained firmly on England as Pakistan’s spinners continued to extract considerable turn from the surface.