Pakistan off-spinner Sajid Khan’s (4-86) and Noman Ali ensured England had a tough outing on the day two in the second Test at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on Wednesday.
According to details, England openers had a decent start after the visitors bundled out Pakistan for 366 inside 124 overs. For England, Ben Duckett’s innings were the highlight. He compiled 129-ball 114, lacing with 16 boundaries.
England were looking to hold grip over Pakistan, but Sajid Khan had justified his selection at the time and seconded the narrative that the pitch had offered a lot for the spinners.
Noman Ali (2-75) had also picked up two wickets.
Joe Root, who had just emerged as the highest run-scorer for England in the red-ball format, was once again looking to treat the Pakistan bowlers with utter contempt, but Sajid flummoxed him the veteran batter in no time on 54-ball 34.
The Root’s wicket had boosted the morale of Sajid and he also perplexed Harry Brook on run-a-ball, who had etched a record in England’s Test history by notching a triple-century.
England’s regular skipper, Ben Stokes, who made his came in time was removed by Noman Ali on 5-ball 1.
Earlier, Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley had scored 29 and 27 respectively.
The spinners-dominated Pakistan had so far proved mettle, with Sajid Khan picking up four wickets.
Noman Ali took two wickets.
Other spinners Zahid Mahmood and Salman Agha yet to fill the wickets’ column.
The only fast bowler, Aamer Jamal had remained wicketless.