NEW DELHI: England opener Ben Duckett etched his identify in cricketing historical past on Day 2 of the second Check in opposition to Pakistan in Multan by changing into the quickest batter to succeed in 2,000 Check runs by way of balls confronted.
Duckett’s good knock of 114 off 129 balls, laced with 16 boundaries, was not solely a private milestone but additionally an important effort for England amid a difficult day.
Duckett surpassed the earlier report held by New Zealand’s Tim Southee, who had reached the two,000-run mark in 2,418 balls.
Duckett achieved the feat in simply 2,293 deliveries, abandoning famend batters like Australia’s Adam Gilchrist (2,483 balls) and India’s Virender Sehwag (2,759 balls) and Rishabh Pant (2,797 balls).
In reply to Pakistan’s first-innings complete of 366, Duckett and Zak Crawley offered England with a strong begin, including 73 runs in simply 12 overs.
Duckett was significantly efficient in opposition to spin, utilizing sweeps and reverse sweeps to disrupt Pakistan’s bowlers, mentioning his fourth Check century with ease.
He went on to sew one other vital 52-run partnership with Ollie Pope, additional consolidating England’s innings.
Nevertheless, Duckett’s particular person brilliance wasn’t sufficient to forestall a dramatic England collapse later within the day.
Pakistan’s off-spinner Sajid Khan engineered a shocking fightback, dismantling England’s center order with a four-wicket haul.
Sajid’s spell included key dismissals, comparable to Duckett, Joe Root, and Harry Brook.
Duckett, who appeared untouchable, ultimately nicked one to slide whereas trying to drive a sharply turning supply, leaving England susceptible at 239/6 by stumps.
