A Record-Breaking First Innings
England set the tone for the match with an astonishing first innings total of 823-7 declared, marking the fourth-highest total in Test history. The innings was spearheaded by Harry Brook, who made headlines with a sensational 317—England’s first triple century in 34 years. Alongside him, Joe Root contributed an impressive 262, adding to his legacy as one of England’s greats. The partnership between Brook and Root was a staggering 454 runs, becoming the highest partnership in Test history, surpassing the long-standing record of 411 shared by Colin Cowdrey and Peter May since 1957.
Despite Pakistan amassing a substantial 556 runs in their first innings, they found themselves in a desperate battle to avoid defeat after England’s remarkable showing. The home side’s performance was punctuated by moments of brilliance, but also plagued by inconsistency, particularly in their batting order.
Pakistan’s Historic Loss After Scoring 500+ Runs
This match also marked a troubling chapter in Pakistan’s cricket history. With this defeat, they became the first team to lose a Test match by an innings after scoring over 500 runs in their first innings. The loss against England was their sixth consecutive defeat in Test matches, underlining their current struggles. Historically, Pakistan has faced this fate four times after scoring over 500 runs, with significant losses including:
- 1972 vs Australia, Melbourne: Pakistan scored 574 but lost by 92 runs.
- 2006 vs England, Leeds: After posting 538, Pakistan crumbled to a 167-run defeat.
- 2006 vs England, The Oval: This match ended in controversy as Pakistan forfeited the game after scoring 504.
- 2022 vs England, Rawalpindi: Pakistan scored 579 but lost by 74 runs.
Day 5 Highlights
As the match unfolded on Day 5, England’s bowlers continued to apply pressure. Pakistan resumed their innings at 152-6, but the hopes of a comeback quickly diminished. Jack Leach played a pivotal role in dismantling the lower order, claiming four wickets and leading the charge towards victory. Pakistan managed to reach 220-9, with Aamer Jamal showcasing some resilience with a fighting 55 not out. However, the efforts were not enough to stave off defeat.
This defeat has raised questions about the team’s future direction under the new captaincy of Shan Masood, as they grapple with maintaining morale and performance standards.
Conclusion
England’s historic win in Multan serves as a testament to their current strength and strategy in Test cricket, reflecting a cohesive unit capable of dominating even on a flat pitch. For Pakistan, however, this match is a wake-up call. The team must reassess its strategies and mental fortitude to reverse its fortunes and reclaim its status in the cricketing world.
As the cricketing community reflects on this remarkable Test match, it’s clear that the sport continues to surprise, reminding us that every match is a new chapter waiting to be written.