The second Test between England and Pakistan was won by England on Monday in Multan by 26 runs, ending Pakistan’s chances of winning the three-match Test series.
As Pakistan was all out for 328 while pursuing 355 for the win on day four of the match, the visitors secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
With a heroic 94 points, Saud Shakeel led all scorers for Pakistan. Imam-ul-Haq added 60.
With a 4-65 performance, Mark Wood was the standout England bowler as they won their first series in Pakistan since 2000–2001.
The third and final match of England’s first test tour of Pakistan since 2005 will start on Saturday in Karachi.
Faheem Ashraf was dismissed earlier in the day after scoring 10 runs. Later, before losing their wickets, Mohammad Nawaz and Saud Shakeel played sensibly and brought the team closer to the mark.
Just before lunch, Saud Shakeel was the last person to leave. He made 94 runs before being given out, a decision that numerous former cricketers, notably ex-Pakaistan captain Waqar Younus, deemed questionable.
3rd Day Report
With two full days left, Pakistan needed another 157 runs to win after being given a difficult 355 run target.
England stopped Pakistan’s start of 66 runs without loss with three wickets for just 17 runs, using reverse swing to their advantage.
But during their 108-run fourth-wicket partnership, Haq (60) and Shakeel (54 not out) inspired a spectacular 156-minute comeback before Jack Leach caught the former at slip three overs before stumps.
After receiving hamstring treatment, Haq entered the game at number five rather than starting the innings. He smashed seven boundaries.
After losing the first of three Test matches by 74 runs in Rawalpindi, all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, who was moved up to number six, was three not out as Pakistan sought to win the match and tie the series.
Spinner Abrar Ahmed had already taken 11 wickets for 234 over the course of the two innings, which ranks second among Pakistani debutants behind Mohammad Zahid’s 11-130 against New Zealand in Rawalpindi 26 years back.
To read our blog on “In advance of the second England Test, Ramiz Raja makes a bold claim,” click here.
