NEW DELHI: England’s regular march within the second Take a look at towards Pakistan was halted abruptly by Sajid Khan, whose spell of sharp off-spin triggered a fast batting collapse.
After being well-placed at 211/2, England misplaced 4 wickets for simply 14 runs, discovering themselves reeling at 225/6 within the remaining session of Day 2 at Multan.
Sajid’s good bowling efficiency ensured Pakistan seized management at a vital section, leaving England trailing by 127 runs.
The collapse started with the dismissal of England’s talisman Joe Root, who had appeared snug till Sajid deceived him with a well-flighted supply.
On the third ball of the 42nd over, Root tried a sweep however solely managed an inside edge onto his boot, sending the ball rolling into the stumps. His dismissal at 211/three opened the floodgates.
Sajid’s subsequent sufferer was Ben Duckett, who had earlier anchored the innings with a fluent 114. Duckett had survived a number of shut calls, with Sajid repeatedly beating his bat.
Lastly, an aggressive drive off a full-length supply discovered a thick outdoors edge, and Agha Salman at first slip made no mistake.
With Duckett’s departure, England slumped to 224/4, and Sajid celebrated along with his signature thigh-slap gesture.
In Sajid’s very subsequent over, Harry Brook was bowled making an attempt to punch a spinning supply off the again foot.
Brook misjudged the sharp flip, and the ball crashed by way of the hole between bat and pad, handing Sajid his fourth wicket of the innings.
England, instantly in hassle, stood at 225/5 with Brook gone for simply 9.
Noman Ali then compounded England’s woes by dismissing captain Ben Stokes for a mere 1. Stokes failed to regulate to Noman’s flip, edging a defensive push onto his pad, and Abdullah Shafique at quick leg accomplished an excellent diving catch.
From a place of power at 211/2, England had been now in serious trouble at 225/6, leaving Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse to regular the ship earlier than stumps.
Nevertheless, the pair managed to stabilize the innings and guided England to 239/6 by the top of the day.
Sajid Khan completed the day with figures of 4/86, his devastating spell turning the match on its head.
With Pakistan’s bowlers firing on all cylinders and England trailing by 127 runs, Day three guarantees to be a pivotal chapter on this thrilling Take a look at collection at Multan.
