Pakistan is facing England in the second Test match at the Multan Cricket Stadium Friday, December 9. Right-arm leg-break bowler Abrar Ahmed was handed his debut cap for Pakistan in the second match of the three-match series. The spinner immediately made an impact as he cleaned up England opener Zak Crawley in his first over, providing the opening wicket for Pakistan.
Abrar Ahmed bowled a googly on the 5th delivery of the 9th over, which Crawley decided to deal with by going forward to defend. However, he left a big gap between bat and pad and didn’t manage to pick the googly at all and was comprehensively bowled. Crawley had to walk back after scoring 19 runs with 3 fours as England lost their first wicket for 38 runs.
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What a ball to get your first Test wicket! 👏
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 9, 2022
Immediate impact by Abrar Ahmed 🎯#PAKvENG | #UKSePK pic.twitter.com/8tvnuGFzyo
Nail-biting first Test match
It was the England team who walked the talk in their first Test match, scoring at an outrageous rate in both their batting innings. Courtesy of centuries from four of their batters, Crawley, Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, and Ollie Pope, England posted a mammoth total of 687 runs in just 101 overs. In response, Pakistan also had three centurions: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, and Babar Azam.
With the Test match heading for a draw, England opted for an ultra-aggressive approach in their second innings, smashing 264 runs in just 35.5 overs. This time, Brook and Joe Root led the way by hitting quick-fire half-centuries.
England declared on 264 in the third innings of the match with 3 wickets remaining. It was very unexpected from England skipper Ben Stokes and it proved to be the bravest decision ever. The hosts were chasing a 343-run target against the Three Lions. Earlier, Saud Shakeel hit a solid maiden half-century before departing for 76, while Imam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Rizwan scored 48 and 46, respectively.
Many felt England should’ve reached a safe total before declaring, but the visitors put up a stunning show on the final day to seal the game by 74 runs. Pace bowlers James Anderson and Ollie Robinson were exceptional with the old ball, generating reverse swing that played a major role in England taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
