MULTAN: English spinner Jack Leach took four wickets to help England dismiss the hosts for 366 in their first innings on day two of the 2nd Test in Multan on Wednesday.
Leach took 4-114 while pacers Brydon Carse ended with 3-50 and Matthew Potts claimed 2-66 as Pakistan managed to add just 107 after resuming the second day on 259-5. Debutant Kamran Ghulam top-scored with 118 runs while Saim Ayub scored 77 runs.
Earlier, Pakistan began to lose wickets in the first session on Wednesday of the 2nd test against England, losing Mohammad Rizwan, Sajid Khan and Salman Agha in quick succession.
Muhammad Rizwan was the first to leave the field on Wednesday, being dismissed following making 41 runs off 97 balls, hitting 5 fours in the match.
Kamran Ghulam made a dream debut, scoring a brilliant century to help Pakistan post a solid total of 259/5 at the close of play on Day 1 of the second Test against England in Multan. Ghulam’s composed knock of 118, supported by Saim Ayub’s 77, stabilized Pakistan’s innings after a shaky start.
Pakistan won the toss on a sunny morning, and captain Shaan Masood opted to bat first. However, the decision backfired early on as England’s Jack Leach tore through Pakistan’s top order. Leach dismissed Abdullah Shafique (7) and Shaan Masood (1) in quick succession, reducing Pakistan to 19/3 within the first 10 overs.
Facing a potential collapse, debutant Kamran Ghulam and Saim Ayub countered the English bowling with a brilliant partnership of 149 runs for the third wicket.
Ghulam, calm under pressure, built his innings steadily, while Ayub played more aggressively, reaching his half-century off 97 balls. The partnership brought Pakistan back into the game, with the score at 173/3 by tea.
After tea, Ayub was dismissed by Matthew Potts for 77, and Saud Shakeel followed soon after, contributing just 4 runs. Despite the setbacks, Ghulam continued to lead Pakistan’s fightback, reaching his maiden Test century off 214 balls.
His 65-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan further strengthened Pakistan’s position before Ghulam was bowled by Shoaib Bashir late in the day.
At stumps, Rizwan remained unbeaten on 37, guiding Pakistan to a respectable total of 259/5.
Pakistan Playing XI
Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood(c), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan(w), Agha Salman, Aamer Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Zahid Mahmood
England Playing XI
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jamie Smith(w), Matthew Potts, Brydon Carse, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir
