Pakistan is hosting England for a three-match Test series, with England currently leading 1-0. The second Test is taking place at Multan Stadium, a venue known for its unique challenges and passionate crowd. As the teams took to the field for Day 1, all eyes were on the players as they aimed to seize momentum in this pivotal match. Here’s an overview of the action and highlights from the opening day of the second Test.
Toss and Pitch Overview
The match began on a sunny day and the toss was won by Shan Masood who opted to bat first once again in the same stadium where for the first time the history same pitch was used in the next test in Multan, The Pitch was dry and there was cracks already which could help bowlers as the match progresses, Other than that it was the same surface and could help the batter very well and we are in for another high scoring test. As far as the Squad there are four changes in the Pakistan Squad and two changes in the England squad with Ben Stokes returning as their Captain.
Day 1 Session 1
The game began with openers Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub taking the field. Matthew Potts opened the attack with a new ball, delivering a precise start. Initially, there was minimal movement with the new ball, and Pakistan made a cautious start, defending almost every ball while aiming to establish a solid opening partnership. In a surprising move at the end of the fifth over, Stokes brought in Jack Leach to bowl, followed by Shoaib Basheer. Spinners from both ends troubled the Pakistan openers, leading to Abdullah Shafique being bowled by Jack Leach in his second over for just 7 runs. This unexpected dismissal marked Pakistan's first wicket falling at just 15 runs. The struggle to form a partnership continued as another wicket fell. Jack Leach continued his momentum by dismissing Shan Masood as well. This put Pakistan in a difficult position within the first hour, as England's spinners dominated. Debutant Kamran Ghulam entered the field in a challenging situation, initially struggling to time the ball. Meanwhile, Saim Ayub batted well, and the session ended with Pakistan at 79/2, with Kamran Ghulam and Saim Ayub forming a fifty-run partnership. This session highlighted the significance of spin in this pitch, with 21 overs of spin already played.
End of Session 1 (Pakistan - 79/2 Saim Ayub 40, Kamran Ghulam 29, Jack Leach - 2/35)
Day 2 Session 2
The session after lunch began with Jack Leach coming into the attack, and the partnership between Kamran Ghulam and Saim Ayub growing stronger. The pitch didn't seem like a good batting surface, behaving more like a double-paced wicket with lots of turns. Batting on this pitch could become increasingly difficult as the innings progresses. Both batsmen were playing well, with precise shot execution, especially from Kamran Ghulam, who was batting confidently after a troubled start. Meanwhile, Saim Ayub reached his fifty, and Kamran Ghulam also scored a half-century on his debut, receiving applause from the dressing room. By the end of the 44th over, the pair had put up a 100-run stand for the 4th wicket. Despite England's bowlers trying a variety of tactics, the batters looked settled in the middle. However, Matthew Potts broke the 149-run stand by dismissing Saim Ayub for 77 runs just before the session ended. Pakistan added 94 runs in this session. Despite the breakthrough for England, this session truly belongs to Pakistan at the Tea.
End of Session 2 (Pakistan - 173/3 Kamran Ghulam 75, Saim Ayub 77, Jack Leach 2/62)
Day 3 Session 3
The final session began with Ben Duckett dropping Ghulam for 79, a nervous start for the debutant. However, England made up for the drop catch as Brydon Carse dismissed in-form Saud Shakeel for just 4 runs. Mohammed Rizwan came in and initially looked shaky, surviving close calls and edging one to the keeper, which England didn't review. After surviving a few scares, Rizwan settled into his innings, timing the ball well. Meanwhile, Kamran Ghulam reached his century on debut, batting at number 4. He became the 13th Pakistan batter in history to achieve this feat. The dressing room applauded his achievement, as he came in when the team was at 19/2. Rizwan and Ghulam then added a 50-run partnership for the sixth wicket. With just five overs to go, Shoaib Bashir got the important wicket of Ghulam, bowling him for 118. With four overs remaining in the day, England's spinners were attacking the Pakistan batters, but Rizwan and Agha Salman held firm, and Pakistan ended the day on 259/5. The day belonged to both Pakistan and England, with the contest ending even at the end of day 1. The man of the day was Kamran Ghulam, whose magnificent century laid the foundation for a big finish.
End of Session 3 (Pakistan - 259/5 Kamran Ghulam 118, Saim Ayub 77, Jack Leach 2/92)
