The cricketing world watches with bated breath as England attempt to pull off a monumental run chase against Pakistan on the final day of their second Test in Multan. Having been set an imposing target of 297, the tourists will need to rewrite the record books if they are to emerge victorious on what is becoming an increasingly treacherous pitch.
A Challenging Day Ahead
England’s task was made all the more difficult when they lost both openers, Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley, in a tense final session on day three. Duckett fell lbw for just 4, while Crawley edged behind for 13, leaving the visitors reeling at 36-2 by stumps.
The onus now falls on the experienced duo of Joe Root and Ollie Pope to steady the ship and lay a foundation for an improbable win. Root, in particular, will need to call upon all his skill and resilience to combat Pakistan’s wily spin attack on a surface offering plenty of turn and variable bounce.
“It’s going to be a tough ask, but we have the belief that we can do it,” said England assistant coach Paul Collingwood after play on day three. “The pitch is starting to misbehave, but if we can get through the first session unscathed, anything is possible.”
The Highest Chase in Asia
If England are to pull off this heist, they will need to surpass their highest successful run chase in Asia, which currently stands at 209-5 against Pakistan in Lahore back in 1961. On that occasion, an unbeaten 66 from captain Ted Dexter guided the team home after they had slipped to 17-2 early on.
While that provides some historical context, the reality is that England are facing a far sterner challenge this time around. Pakistan’s attack, led by the mustachioed mystery spinner Sajid Khan, will be licking their lips at the prospect of bowling on a day-four Multan minefield.
Key Battles to Watch
- Joe Root vs Sajid Khan: England’s best player of spin against Pakistan’s chief wicket-taking threat. Root’s ability to nullify Khan could determine the outcome.
- Ollie Pope vs Naseem Shah: Pope has looked assured against pace so far, but the skiddy Shah will pose a different challenge with his reverse swing and unorthodox angles.
- Ben Stokes vs himself: The England captain has the power to take the game away from Pakistan, but he must balance aggression with discretion on this surface. Expect fireworks if he gets going.
Pitch Conditions Deteriorating
As the pitch continues to deteriorate, batting last was always likely to be a thankless task. Cracks are opening up, and the odd ball is starting to keep low or spit viciously off a length. Survival, let alone scoring runs, will be a challenge for England’s batsmen.
“The pitch is only going to get worse,” said former England captain Michael Vaughan on commentary. “England will need a bit of luck, but more importantly, they’ll need their top order to stand up and be counted.”
A Chance for Immortality
Despite the enormity of the task at hand, this England team has shown a propensity for defying the odds under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum. Their fearless, attacking approach has yielded some remarkable results over the past year, including a record run chase against India at Edgbaston last July.
If they can pull off something similar here, it would undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest victories in their Test history. The stakes are high, the pressure is on, but if any team is equipped to turn the improbable into reality, it is this new-look England side.
As day four dawns in Multan, the cricketing world waits with anticipation to see if England can etch another chapter into their storied history. Win or lose, it promises to be a gripping spectacle as two proud cricketing nations battle for supremacy in the searing Pakistani heat.
