Captain Shan Masood leads from the front with 151. Opener Abdullah Shafique strikes 102. Salman Agha smashes a blistering hundred from number seven.
Things are looking good in Multan.
After posting a mammoth 556 all-out in the first innings of a Test match, albeit on a batter-friendly surface, you’d be forgiven for thinking that a team lacking confidence was beginning to hit their stride and end a barren run of results.
But only a matter of three days later, courtesy of a record-breaking partnership between Yorkshire pair Joe Root (262) and Harry Brook (317) that saw the tourists hit 823, prior to a wilting collapse under England’s pressure in the third innings, the hosts made history to become the first team to lose a Test by an innings after posting 500+ in the first innings.
Certainly a moment they’ll want to forget quickly.
From losing yet another Test from a dominant position on days one and two, Pakistan are now without a win at HOME in the longest format for 11 matches- a run dating back over three years since their last victory against South Africa in February 2021.
That series they managed to beat a good South African side 2-0 with impressive triumphs in Karachi and Rawalpindi, however since they have been defeated by Australia, whitewashed by England and whitewashed by an ever-improving Bangladesh who the hosts would still be expected to overcome.
They have also fared little better overseas in recent memory, suffering a humbling series whitewash in Australia earlier this year to extend their run of 29 years without a Test victory down under.
These sub-standard showings have led to Babar Azam resigning as white-ball captain, Australian Jason Gillespie being appointed as head coach, Shan Masood becoming Test captain and multiple rebuilds to the selection committee across the board.
However, alterations to the setup haven’t produced an upturn in results and look to be symptomatic of a nation in disarray and unable to find the right solutions.
STAT ALERT: Shan Masood has lost his first six Tests as Pakistan skipper. Bangladesh’s Khaled Mashud holds the record with 12 consecutive losses at the start of his reign between December 2001 and October 2004.
The Test struggles are concerning, even if Pakistan play less longer-form cricket than the wealthier nations, but you can definitely make an argument that the white-ball sides are showing little encouragement either.
From reaching the T20 World Cup final in 2022, narrowly losing to England at the MCG, Pakistan have failed to capitalise and compete strongly in both of the global white-ball tournaments that have followed.
First finishing outside the semi-final spots at the ODI World Cup in India late last year, they then endured a disastrous campaign at the 2024 T20 World Cup as they dramatically lost to minnows and joint-hosts USA after a super-over in Dallas.
Losing to bitter rivals India by six runs three days later in another match they seemed to chuck away from the jaws of victory, Pakistan were consigned to an embarrassing group-stage exit despite consolation wins over Canada and Ireland.
And now as they look ahead to the rest of the series against England, one key question remains.
Can Pakistan turn it around and win the series from nowhere?
Left Arm Around 
Leave a comment