MULTAN: What started as a hopeful high turned into a historic low for Pakistan, who became the first team to lose a Test by an innings despite posting 500 runs in the first innings.
England, uncompromising in their approach, cruised to victory early in the fifth day, finishing the match before lunch with a strong innings and a 47-run win. Pakistan’s defeat became virtually certain when they stumbled to 82 for 6 on the fourth day under clear conditions.
Despite a century-long partnership between Salman Agha and Aamer Jamal for the seventh wicket, Pakistan were left far behind after England’s massive 823 for 7 declaration.
Salman and Jamal’s resilient stand of 109 was not enough to force England back to the crease, although Pakistan initially put up an impressive figure of 556. The loss marked Pakistan’s sixth successive defeat under Shan Masood, highlighting a worrying record over home run with no wins since then. February 2021.
Pakistan was further hampered by the absence of Abrar Ahmed, who was hospitalized. England took advantage of the situation, with Jack Leach seizing the opportunity by trapping Salman lbw with his fourth delivery of the day. England then took two more quick wickets in just four balls to seal the win, marking their second win of the tour on Asian soil.
England’s batsmen set the stage with a record-breaking innings, thanks to Harry Brooke and Joe Root’s triple century and Joe Root’s impressive 262, pushing England to the fourth highest total in Test history. The pitch remained mostly favorable even on the fifth day, but Pakistan’s collapse after trailing by 267 runs left little doubt about the outcome. Starting the day at 152 for 6, Pakistan fought hard through Salman and Jamal, who both hit half-centuries.
Salman showed his ability to adapt by notching a boundary off Jos Atkinson to reach his fifty, while Jamal, facing an aggressive short ball barrage from Brydon Carse, also scored a fifty despite testing positive for concussion after a helmet collision.
Kars continued to pressure Jamal, who managed to fend off several bouncers, even when Ollie Pope dropped a routine catch after Jamal reached the top of square leg. Leach made the decisive breakthrough by defeating Salman’s inside edge, which was confirmed on review.
Shaheen Afridi was dismissed soon after, and England’s Jack Leach sealed Pakistan’s fate by seizing a comeback from Shaheen and hitting Naseem Shah. This unforgettable victory, a shining testament to the era of baseball, is among England’s most notable victories.