Last Updated on 3 weeks by Charbel Coorey
Pakistan became the first team in history to lose a Test by an innings after scoring 500+ in their first dig. Since piling on 556, Pakistan were absolutely rudderless in Multan, with no clue how to stop England’s onslaught. Then, in true Pakistan fashion, they collapsed in the third innings, as they did in their recent 2-0 series defeat at home to Bangladesh.
Let’s revisit Pakistan’s bowling performance. Yes, it was a very flat surface in Multan, rightly criticised by fans and pundits around the world. However, to basically throw the towel in with England still trailing by more than 200+ runs is reflective of their defensive mindset. Under Shan Masood’s watch, Pakistan resorted to negative legstump lines and defensive fields, letting Harry Brook and Joe Root have their way en route to a record 454-run partnership.
There was no out-of-the-box thinking. No silly mid-offs, close catchers, or any attempt to build some pressure. It was a resignation to the fact that quality batsmen were at the crease and simply avoiding boundaries was good enough.
Harry Brook hit 317, the fifth-highest individual score for England in Test history. Joe Root struck his sixth double century. After England piled on 823/7d in just 150 overs, Pakistan were shot mentally after spending an age chasing leather in the Multan heat. You just had the feeling an England win was on the cards, just how Bangladesh turned the screws in the third innings recently.
Abdullah Shafique was out first ball. Shan Masood was dismissed in the tamest of fashion, chipping to midwicket after attempting to get caught by mid-off and cover previously. Babar Azam was out cheaply nicking off in the kind of dismissal we have become used to seeing. Saim Ayub played a horror shot soon after. From that point, a big defeat was inevitable.
ALSO READ: Exclusive Kamran Akmal interview – “Favouritism ruining Pakistan cricket”
Pakistan cricket slammed by fans after latest horror show, this time in Multan
Pakistan cricket have copped a battering online, both from their own fans and opposing ones. Not only does their home record make for bad reading, but they have lost six Tests in a row, with their last victory coming against Sri Lanka in July 2023. In fact, they have won just three of their past 19 Tests home and away.
The Multan showing is part of a shocking 2024 for Pakistan across formats. They have lost all their Tests and were bundled out of the group stages in the T20 World Cup following defeat to the USA.