MULTAN: Spinner Jack Leach took four wickets to assist England beat Pakistan by an innings and 47 runs in the first Test in Multan on Friday, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The hosts have resuming on the fifth and final day at 152-6 batted for just 96 minutes before they were dismissed for 220, with Leach leading English team’s attack with 4-30.
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Pakistan’s Salman Aga and Aamar Jamal showed a little resistance against England in the final day of first test in Multan. Salman Agha made 63 runs while Aamer Jamal made 55 runs against the visitors.
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However, Salman Agha was dismissed by Leach and stopped the hosts from more progress.
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England’s bowling attack decimated Pakistan’s batting lineup, leaving the hosts at 152-6 by stumps on Day 4 of the first Test, as Pakistan struggled to overcome England’s massive first-innings total of 823-7.
After England declared with a commanding lead of 267 runs, Pakistan’s second innings began disastrously. Opener Abdullah Shafique was dismissed for a duck on just the second ball of the innings, setting the tone for a dismal batting display.
England’s bowlers capitalized on the early breakthrough, reducing Pakistan to 82-6 in a collapse that left the home side trailing by 185 runs.
Despite the top-order failure, Pakistan found some hope in the form of a resilient unbeaten partnership between Salman Ali Agha (41*) and Aamir Jamal (27*). The duo added 70 runs, providing a late fightback as Pakistan ended the day still 115 runs behind. The pair will need to continue their efforts on the final day to prevent an England victory.
Gus Atkinson and debutant Brydon Carse led England’s bowling efforts with two wickets each, while Chris Woakes and Jack Leach shared the remaining wickets. England’s bowlers tore through Pakistan’s lineup after the hosts had posted a substantial 556-run total in their first innings.
Earlier, England’s batsmen completely dominated Pakistan’s bowling attack. Harry Brook delivered a stunning performance, reaching his maiden triple century with a boundary off Saim Ayub. Brook’s 317 off 322 balls, including 32 fours and three sixes, was one of the standout knocks of the match. Joe Root also contributed a monumental 262, while Jamie Smith added a quick-fire 31.
England’s batting saw them add 166 runs without loss in the morning session of Day 4, frustrating Pakistan’s bowlers. Brook and Root extended their partnership to 409 runs, building on the momentum they had gained on Day 3, when they closed with Root on 176 and Brook on 141.
Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Saim Ayub and Naseem Shah with two wickets each, struggled to contain England’s aggressive approach. Shaheen Shah Afridi, Aamir Jamal, and Salman Ali Agha managed a wicket apiece, but by the time England declared at 823-7, the damage had been done.
In Pakistan’s first innings, Salman Ali Agha’s unbeaten 104 and Shan Masood’s marathon 151 gave the hosts a solid platform. Abdullah Shafique also impressed with a 102-run knock. However, those efforts have been overshadowed by Pakistan’s collapse in the second innings, which now leaves them facing the prospect of a heavy defeat in the first Test of the series.
