Back-to-back Wickets Shatter Pakistan’s Resistance on Day 2 in Multan – Cricket Highlights

Multan, January 18, 2025: Pakistan’s promising start on Day 2 of the ongoing Test match against England at Multan’s Multan Cricket Stadium was shattered by a flurry of back-to-back wickets, leaving the home side in a precarious position. England’s bowlers, led by their pace attack, executed a brilliant comeback after an early resistance from Pakistan’s middle order. The second day of the Test match was a dramatic one, with Pakistan’s hopes of setting a competitive total being dashed by a series of quick dismissals, while England now holds the upper hand in the ongoing Test series.

Pakistan’s Day of Promise and Collapse

The day began with Pakistan resuming their innings at 158/3, with a solid foundation laid by opener Abdullah Shafique (52*) and captain Babar Azam (32*). The two batsmen had shown determination on Day 1, and hopes were high that Pakistan could build a substantial total, especially with Shafique looking increasingly comfortable at the crease.

However, England’s bowlers came out firing on all cylinders, led by fast bowlers Ollie Robinson and Mark Wood. Their relentless pressure soon began to unravel Pakistan’s progress. Robinson, who had been the standout bowler on Day 1, continued his fine form as he removed the well-set Shafique early in the day. The right-hander, who had been composed and patient throughout his innings, was dismissed for 56 runs, edging a delivery from Robinson to Ben Stokes in the slips.

The Turning Point: Back-to-Back Wickets

At 158/4, Pakistan’s top-order had already suffered a significant blow. The wicket of Shafique shifted the momentum in England’s favor, but it was the very next phase of play that truly changed the complexion of the match. Mark Wood, who had been consistently challenging the Pakistan batters with his pace, claimed two quick wickets in consecutive deliveries, further intensifying Pakistan’s woes.

First, it was the Pakistan captain, Babar Azam, who fell for a disappointing score of 37. Wood’s fiery pace and a delivery that pitched on a length, climbing steeply, caught Babar’s outside edge, which was well-held by England’s keeper, Ben Foakes. The captain’s departure led to a collective sigh of despair from the home crowd, as Pakistan’s top order had now crumbled under the pressure of the English pace attack.

The very next delivery saw the in-form wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan (0) walking back to the pavilion. Wood, who had gained significant momentum, took a full delivery that Rizwan misjudged and nicked through to Foakes. Just like that, Pakistan had lost two wickets in the span of mere seconds—158/4 quickly became 158/6.

Fighting Back: Iftikhar Ahmed and Agha Salman

With their backs against the wall, Pakistan’s lower middle order had to show resilience if they were to post any significant total. Enter Iftikhar Ahmed (28) and Agha Salman (21), who provided some resistance in the aftermath of the collapse. The pair put on a crucial partnership, combining 40 runs and playing some solid cricket against an ever-vigilant England attack.

Ahmed, known for his aggressive batting, showcased his ability to steady the ship when required. He was particularly good against the spinners, playing with a composed approach. Agha Salman, on the other hand, displayed great maturity in his knock, working the ball around to find gaps and rotate strike effectively.

However, just as the duo seemed to be building a partnership, disaster struck again for Pakistan. Jack Leach, the left-arm spinner, broke the stand by dismissing Iftikhar in the 53rd over. Iftikhar’s attempt to sweep the ball ended in a top edge that was easily caught by a diving Ollie Pope at short leg. Pakistan’s innings had once again been jolted, with the score now at 198/7.

The Tail Fails to Wag

With the tail exposed, Pakistan’s resistance began to crumble further. Despite Salman’s gritty knock, he soon found himself trapped lbw by Ollie Robinson, who had been relentless with his line and length. At 209/8, the writing seemed on the wall for Pakistan.

The tail enders, including the ever-fighting Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, couldn’t offer much resistance against the English attack, which was now brimming with confidence. Robinson, Wood, and Leach combined expertly, and it didn’t take long before Pakistan’s innings folded for a total of 215, with Robinson picking up three wickets, and Wood and Leach claiming two wickets each.

England’s Dominance in the Field

England’s dominance with the ball was evident throughout the day. The early breakthrough of Shafique and the back-to-back wickets of Babar and Rizwan, as well as the later collapse of the tail, demonstrated their disciplined, attacking approach. Robinson’s superb spell, in particular, was a highlight of the day, and Wood’s pace further added pressure to Pakistan’s batters. Leach, who had struggled earlier in the series, showed his value with crucial breakthroughs, especially when the game seemed poised for Pakistan to recover.

England’s Response

With a slender lead of 215 runs, England wasted no time in taking charge of the game. The first innings lead, though not massive, had tilted the balance in their favor, and they were now in a position to press home the advantage. As the day wore on, England began their chase under lights, but Pakistan’s bowlers, led by Shaheen Afridi, will need to fire on all cylinders to restrict England from building a strong response.

The crowd at Multan, which had been filled with anticipation, witnessed the game’s turn of fortune as Pakistan’s batting crumbled under pressure. England’s bowlers, however, delivered a performance worthy of Test cricket, with a disciplined approach and clinical execution of their plans.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Pakistan?

With the ball now in England’s court, Pakistan faces a daunting task to bounce back. The hosts will need their bowlers to rise to the occasion, with Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah expected to lead the attack in the second innings. Pakistan’s batting, however, will be the main concern, and the onus will be on their senior players to take responsibility and ensure they mount a fightback in the next phase of the match.

As the match progresses, England will look to continue building their advantage. The second innings will provide the true test of both teams’ resolve, and the next few days of the Test match promise to be an exciting battle as Multan continues to witness this gripping encounter between two top cricketing nations.

In Conclusion

Day 2 of the Multan Test was a rollercoaster ride for cricket fans, with back-to-back wickets changing the game’s momentum. Pakistan’s early promise was undermined by a dramatic collapse, while England’s bowlers showed why they are considered among the best in world cricket. As the match unfolds, both teams have plenty to play for, and it’s clear that this Test will be a hard-fought contest until the very end.