In the second Test of the series, Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first on a pitch that could play a pivotal role in determining the match's outcome.
Pakistan: (85.2 ov) 246/5
Pakistan has posted 173 runs for the loss of 3 wickets at tea on the first day of the second Test against England in Multan.
Kamran Ghulam remains unbeaten on 75, providing stability after early dismissals. Saud Shakeel is at the crease with 4 runs.
Earlier, Saeem Ayub played a solid knock of 77, while Abdullah Shafique (7) and Shaan Masood (3) were dismissed cheaply. England’s Jack Leach has been the key bowler for the visitors, taking 2 wickets to keep Pakistan in check.
With Ghulam holding firm, Pakistan will look to build a strong total in the remaining sessions.
Jack Leach made a breakthrough for England, dismissing Abdullah Shafique with a superb delivery.
Coming around the wicket, Leach found the perfect combination of drift and drop, before the ball straightened just enough to beat Shafique’s half-hearted defensive push.
The ball clipped the top of the off stump, ending Pakistan's opening partnership.
Shan Masood, captaining the side, referred to the "condition of the pitch" as the reason for wanting to post a solid total early, with signs that the surface could deteriorate as the match progresses. Pakistan enters the game with significant changes, having dropped Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmed due to injury and illness, bringing in four new players, including three spinners—Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, and Zahid Mahmood. Ghulam also joins the squad as Pakistan looks to exploit the turning conditions.
Pakistan: 1 Saim Ayub, 2 Abdullah Shafique, 3 Shan Masood (capt), 4 Kamran Ghulam, 5 Saud Shakeel, 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7 Salman Agha, 8 Aamer Jamal, 9 Sajid Khan, 10 Noman Ali, 11 Zahid Mehmood
The pitch, which has visible cracks, is expected to assist spin bowlers as the match wears on. Mike Atherton and Bazid Khan, analyzing the conditions, described it as rock hard, raising questions about how much assistance it will offer to the spinners right away. Pakistan's heavy reliance on their spin options is notable, with up to seven potential spinners available, including Salman Agha and Saim Ayub.
As Pakistan looks to capitalize on batting first, fans are eager to see if Shan Masood's side can put up a big score, while England will be hoping their balance of seam and spin will be enough to challenge the hosts on a pitch that promises to offer plenty of intrigue.
