England gamers acknowledge the group after profitable the primary Check in opposition to Pakistan in Multan on October 11, 2024.
| Photograph Credit score: AP
England’s bowlers, led by spinner Jack Leach, tore by way of the Pakistan line-up to safe victory within the first Check in Multan on Friday (October 11, 2024) after a file partnership between Harry Brook and Joe Root turned the match on its head.
England’s assault made quick work of the final 4 Pakistan batters on Day 5, dismissing the hosts for 220 to win by an innings and 47 runs and draw first blood within the three-match sequence.
The win is England’s fourth consecutive Check triumph on Pakistan soil, after a 3-0 whitewash two years in the past. England had solely received two away Exams in opposition to Pakistan within the earlier 61 years.
It was additionally full of a number of new milestones for England.
“This win can be proper up there. Positively prime three,” mentioned captain Ollie Pope, standing in for injured skipper Ben Stokes.
Brook smashed 317 and Root a record-setting 262 in England’s mammoth 823-7 declared, giving the guests a 267-run lead and each gamers their highest Check scores.
Their 454, England’s highest-ever partnership for any wicket in Check cricket, additionally delivered an inconceivable benefit after Pakistan amassed a formidable 556 first-innings whole.
Pope was stuffed with reward for Brook and Root’s heroics.
“Credit score to them for the talents and dedication to place the group in a profitable place,” he mentioned.
By shut of play on the fourth day on a dull pitch, England had posted the fourth-highest Check innings whole of 823-7 and brought whole management of the match with the hosts teetering at 152-6.
England’s Harry Brook pictured along with his participant of the match award after day 5 of the primary Check Match in opposition to Pakistan in Multan on October 11, 2024.
| Photograph Credit score:
Getty Photos
Alongside the best way, Root turned the very best run scorer for England in Check historical past.
England’s bowlers then delivered a dagger blow on a dull Multan pitch the place the primary 17 wickets fell for a mammoth 1,379 runs.
In direction of the tip of the fourth day, Pakistan have been reeling at 82-6 earlier than Salman Agha and Aamer Jamal got here collectively for Pakistan’s solely significant partnership.
The pair added 109 earlier than Leach, who marshalled the assault with 4-30, supplied the primary breakthrough on the fifth day when he dislodged Salman for a preventing 63 and opened the floodgates.
Leach then took a wise return catch to get Shaheen Shah Afridi for ten after which had Naseem Shah stumped for six, wrapping up Pakistan’s second innings.
Final man Abrar Ahmed was unable to bat after being taken to hospital with a excessive fever.
“If you come out to bat once more and also you’re 260 runs behind and the pitch is three days older, it’s by no means simple,” mentioned Pope of Pakistan’s second-innings predicament.
Pope additionally lauded the grit proven by England’s inexperienced assault.
“Our bowlers received the odd ball to reverse and spin,” he mentioned of Gus Atkinson who took 2-46 and debutant Brydon Carse who completed with 2-66.
‘Can’t be extra disappointing’
The loss continues a painful stretch for Pakistan and can compound the strain on captain Shan Masood.
His tenure has begun with six consecutive defeats, together with three in Australia and two at dwelling by the hands of Bangladesh — the worst begin for any Pakistan captain.
“It will probably’t be extra disappointing than this,” mentioned Masood. “Harsh actuality is that England discovered a method to win after two days below the solar and 556 behind.
“Then they batted large and once they got here again with the ball that they had a plan and created a window of alternative within the second innings so the cruel actuality in Check cricket is it doesn’t matter what the pitch high quality aspect finds a method to win.”
The hosts have gone 11 Exams with no win on dwelling grounds, their final win in opposition to South Africa got here in February 2021.
The second Check begins on the similar venue from Tuesday whereas the third is in Rawalpindi from October 24.
Revealed – October 11, 2024 05:20 pm IST
