Pakistan vs England: England thrash Pakistan by an innings and 47 runs in Multan

History has been created in Multan by England in the first Pakistan vs England Test match. Pakistan, on Friday, became the first team to lose a Test match by an innings despite scoring more than 500 runs in the first innings. The first innings witnessed three of Pakistan batters notching up their respective centuries. The batting display by Pakistan in the opening innings gave a semblance that the team has redeemed since their shocking defeat to Bangladesh. However, as England batters took the Multan track, which is now infamously termed ‘Multan expressway’, Pakistan’s dominance came crashing down. England, riding off the back of a double ton by Joe Root and a triple ton by Harry Brook thrashed Pakistan at their home as the hosts bundled at 220 in the second innings.

Pakistan vs England: Yet another thrashing at home as England beat Pakistan by an innings and 47 runs

Pakistan came to bat in the second session of Day 4, in response to the mammoth 823 runs posted by England. Pakistan needed to cover a lead of 267 runs imposed by the guests at the flat Multan track. However, the same Multan track that witnessed Joe Root and Harry Brook scripting history, also saw Pakistan tumble down against the pressure. Centurion from the previous innings, opener Abdullah Shafique fell to a golden duck against Chris Woakes. The line up crumbled swiftly from there as England reduced Pakistan to 112 for 6 at the end of Day 4.

As they entered the final day, Pakistan still trailed by 115 runs with only four wickets remaining.Kicking off the final day, Agha Salman and Aamer Jamal put up resistance in an attempt to save the team from a devastating outcome. Salman, who had already scored a century in the first innings, followed it with a fifty, reaching the milestone in the fifth over. With Multan track playing to its true nature, England bowlers used short-balls to squeeze a movement from the dead pitch. However, Salman and Jamal tackled the attack well to knit a 109-run partnership. While a hope for win was too unreal to claim, the 100-run partnership displayed a possibility of Pakistan closing in to the innings gap.

However, Salman’s resilience ended an hour into the day when Jack Leach trapped him lbw with a ball. Salman reviewed the decision, but the technology confirmed his dismissal. Jamal remained steady, reaching his fifty, despite his partner’s departure. He enjoyed some fortune when Ollie Pope dropped a catch at square leg and then missed a run-out opportunity while attempting a quick single. However, with none of the next in line players denying to help the matters, Pakistan resorted to face the innings deficit.

Moreover, with Abrar Ahmed hospitalised with a fever, the second innings concluded well within the first session of the last day of the Pakistan vs England Test in Multan. Jack Leach claimed all the three wickets on the final day leading England to a historic win on the tour. However, the victory was fuelled by record-breaking knocks of Joe Root and Harry Brook. Harry Brook concluded the clash as the ‘Player of the Match’ for his triple century stand.

The defeat in the first Pakistan vs England match marked Pakistan’s sixth consecutive loss in the format. Moreover, the awful streak of Test defeats at home extended to 11 matches for Pakistan. Starting off the final day of the Pakistan vs England Test, the hosts had one task at hand, to overcome the lead set by England and avoid yet another defeat at home. However, Pakistan, who have failed to reach the 200-mark in the second innings of a Test for three consecutive matches, fell victim to their own mental barriers. A lead of 227 was not insurmountable, but allowing a touring side to amass 823 runs on your home turf is bound to cast doubt on your abilities. It was these doubts that once again led Pakistan to a humiliating outcome at home.