After posting a mammoth 506-4 on Day 1 of the first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, England looked to pick up from where they left off on Day 2 as well. Ben Stokes who was looking dangerous on the first day got bowled by Naseem Shah and walked off early. Stokes scored 41 runs off just 18 balls including 6 fours and 2 sixes.
Day 1 of the first Test match was a record-breaking day in the history of Test cricket. England surpassed Australia to script an incredible world record during the first Test of the series against Pakistan on Thursday, going past Australia’s previous-highest total of 494/6 for the opening day, which they registered against South Africa in 1910. England could have scored more but the day’s play was ended due to bad light with 15 overs remaining.
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Naseem Shah strikes in the first over of the day
England skipper Ben Stokes is back in the hut #PAKvsEng #OneCricket pic.twitter.com/qtSmaL043P
— OneCricket (@OneCricketApp) December 2, 2022
Raining world records on Day 1 for England
Four England players scored centuries on the opening day of the match for the first time in history, after tons by Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook, as Pakistan struggled to pick up wickets during the day.
Earlier, Ben Stokes had won the toss and opted to bat in Rawalpindi and England went off to a flier, with the opening duo of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett constructing a 233-run partnership for the first wicket. While Crawley smashed 122 off 111 deliveries which includes 21 fours, Duckett scored 107 in 110 balls smashing 15 fours.
The explosive approach from England continued even after their dismissals, as wicketkeeper-batter Ollie Pope also put up a century scoring 108 runs off 104 deliveries with 14 fours. However, the world no.1 ranked batter and former England Captain Joe Root was dismissed on 23 runs. Coming at no.6 Harry Brook took the charge and played a sensational knock of 153 runs off 116 deliveries including 19 fours and 5 maximums.
However, the pitch at Rawalpindi was under question again, earlier this year, the pitch had been given a demerit point after a Test between Pakistan and Australia had ended in a stale draw. The pitch was hardly helping the bowlers as England exploded on the batting-friendly conditions.
