In a week that saw underdogs shine on the global cricketing stage, Pakistan secured a restorative victory over England in Multan, exposing the fallibility and fatalism in England’s batting approach. The hosts’ first win in 12 home Tests against England has set up a tantalizing series decider in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan’s Spin Gamble Pays Off
Pakistan’s bold move to drop three poster boys and recall the wily spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan proved a masterstroke on a Multan pitch that deteriorated as the match progressed. Winning the toss was crucial, but it still required a telling performance from the hosts to capitalize on the conditions.
England’s Batting Woes Exposed
England’s slump with the bat was quite remarkable. After amassing 1,034 runs for just 9 wickets in the first half of the series, they lost 18 wickets for a mere 224 runs in Multan. The aggressive sweep-heavy approach that served them well earlier came unstuck on a surface that became increasingly treacherous.
Unlike the Oval defeat to Sri Lanka, where England were sloppy, this loss was far less self-inflicted. Still, squeezing more out of their first innings and avoiding dropped catches could have made the final chase less daunting.
– A source close to the England team
Spin to Win in Rawalpindi?
With the series poised at 1-1, attention turns to Rawalpindi, a venue known for its soporific tracks. It will be intriguing to see if the groundstaff can conjure up another spin-friendly surface. If they do, Pakistan will fancy their chances against an England side that remains fallible against high-quality spin in conducive conditions, as evidenced by their 4-1 defeat in India earlier this year.
Stokes’ Captaincy Under Scrutiny
For perhaps the first time under coach Brendon McCullum, belief slightly drained away from England during this Test. Captain Ben Stokes chastised himself for losing his temper in the field when chances went down, apologizing to his team for letting them down in that moment. Stokes’ emotional intelligence and man-management skills have been hallmarks of his captaincy, but he faces a personal challenge to address his lean run with the bat in Asia.
- Stokes has averaged just 15 with the bat in his last 11 innings in Asia
- Left-arm spin has been particularly vexing for the England captain
- With no subcontinent tours scheduled until 2027, the Rawalpindi Test could be Stokes’ last chance to improve his record in Asia
As the cricketing world awaits the Rawalpindi decider with bated breath, England must dig deep to bounce back from this chastening defeat. Pakistan, buoyed by their Multan triumph, will be determined to exploit any chinks in England’s batting armor and secure a famous series victory on home soil. The scene is set for a enthralling finale to this compelling Test series.
