MULTAN – England on Friday crushed Pakistan by an innings and 47 runs in first game of the two-match Test series at Multan International Stadium.
Pakistan started the Day 5 game at 152 for six in their second innings, trailing by 115 runs with Salman Ali Agha and Aamir Jamal on the crease. The seventh wicket partnership between them generated a hope for Pakistan but it was shattered by Jack Leach who dismissed Agha for 63.
Jamal made unbeaten 55 while it could not get support from the tail order.
For England, Leach took four-wicket haul while Carse and Atkinson claimed two wickets each, helping their side to win the first Test in dominating way.
On Day 4, Pakistan got off to a poor start in their second innings with a deficit of 267 runs, as they lost six wickets for 82 in 24.2 overs. Salman Ali Agha (41 not out, 49b, 5x4s) and Aamir Jamal (27 not out, 48b, 2x4s) returned undefeated as the pair added an unbeaten 70-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
For the tourists, Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson bagged two wickets each.
Earlier, resuming their first innings at the overnight score of 492 for three, Joe Root and Harry Brook went on to record the fourth-highest partnership in Tests. The pair knitted a 454-run stand that saw Root amass a 375-ball 262, hitting 17 boundaries. This was Root’s sixth double century and his second double century against Pakistan.
The highlight of the fourth day’s play was right-handed batter Brook’s remarkable triple century, which made him only the sixth England batter to achieve the feat. Brook was eventually dismissed for 317 off 322 balls, smashing 29 fours and three sixes. England finally declared their innings on 823 for seven in 150 overs – the fourth-highest team total in Tests.
For Pakistan, Naseem Shah and Saim Ayub ended up taking two wickets apiece.
