On a thrilling Friday morning, England pulled off one of their most memorable away victories in Multan, wrapping up the match in just one hour and 36 minutes.
They dismissed Pakistan for 220 runs, securing a win by an innings and 47 runs, which gives them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Pakistan’s Resistance
As the game resumed, Pakistan was in a tough spot at 152 for six, still 115 runs away from forcing England to bat again.
They put up a brave fight for about an hour until Jack Leach struck, dismissing Salman Agha lbw for 63 with his fourth delivery after the drinks break.
This ended a resilient seventh-wicket partnership of 109 runs with Aamer Jamal.
Missed Opportunities for England
Despite the momentum, England didn’t make it easy for themselves.
Ollie Pope missed a catch off Brydon Carse when Jamal was on 50, running back from square leg.
This was Jamal’s second stroke of luck; he had also been dropped by Shoaib Bashir at deep backward square earlier in the match, also off Carse.
The Final Push
With Pakistan’s No. 11, Abrar Ahmed, sidelined in the hospital with a fever, England knew they needed just two more wickets for victory.
Leach, in his first Test since January, stepped up to deliver.
First, he made a stunning catch diving to his left to dismiss Shaheen Shah Afridi for 10.
Just three balls later, the match ended when Naseem Shah, trying to repeat his earlier six, was easily stumped by Jamie Smith.
Leach’s Standout Performance
Leach finished with impressive figures of four for 30 in the second innings, totaling seven wickets in the match.
He showcased remarkable skill on a pitch that offered little seam or spin over the course of the four days.
This performance was nothing short of extraordinary.
A Historic Loss for Pakistan
This match marked a historic moment for Pakistan, making them the first team in Test history to score over 500 runs in the first innings and then lose by an innings.
England’s aggressive style of play, dubbed “Bazball,” played a significant role in this turnaround, supported by standout performances from Harry Brook, who scored 317, and Joe Root, who contributed 262 runs, leading to a staggering total of 823 for seven—their highest post-war score.
What’s Next for England?
Looking ahead, the second Test begins in Multan on Tuesday.
A victory in this match would secure England their third consecutive series win, following a successful summer against the West Indies and Sri Lanka.
The excitement continues as the teams prepare for the next challenge!