Pakistan faced a disheartening defeat in the Multan Test against England, losing by an innings and 47 runs. This monumental loss marked a historic low for the Pakistani team, becoming the first side to lose by an innings after posting over 500 runs in the first innings. The narrative was clear: Pakistan’s aim of merely drawing the match turned into a stark reality as England clinched victory in just two sessions. This defeat not only prolongs Pakistan’s winless streak at home—now extending to 11 consecutive Test matches—but also highlights deeper issues within the team’s performance and strategy.
The Struggles of the Pakistani Test Team
The Multan Test exemplified what many have termed a dark chapter in Pakistani cricket history. After showing promise with a first-innings score of 556, the team crumbled in a shocking second innings performance, raising serious concerns among fans and analysts alike. The defeat against England—alongside a prior defeat by Bangladesh—has raised questions about the team’s ability to compete at the highest levels, particularly on home soil.
Unveiling Pakistan’s Tactical Missteps
From the onset of the match, it was evident that England had decoded Pakistan’s strategy, which aimed at creating a flat pitch conducive for drawing the match. Instead, the English players displayed remarkable resilience and aggressive batting, amassing over 800 runs at an exceptional run rate exceeding 5 per over. The effectiveness of England’s counter-attacking approach shattered Pakistan’s game plan and ultimately led to their downfall.
A Shocking Counter-Attack
With confidence stemming from their first innings, where they scored an impressive 556 runs, Pakistan failed to anticipate the fierce attack that England would unleash. England responded with a staggering first-innings total of 823 runs, driven by outstanding performances from Joe Root, who scored a double century, and Harry Brook, who achieved a record-breaking triple century. Pakistan underestimated the psychological impact of their own first innings, believing it would be sufficient to intimidate the English side. Instead, this belief turned out to be their undoing.
Learning from Kanpur: England’s Successful Strategy
England drew inspiration from India’s recent tactics against Bangladesh during the Kanpur Test. With only minimal rain interruptions, the Indian team had opted for an aggressive batting strategy that placed pressure on their opposition. Similarly, England forced Pakistan to bat on the fourth day after establishing a significant lead, exposing weaknesses in the Pakistani batting lineup. Captain Shan Masood, who performed admirably in the first innings, faltered badly by scoring just 11 in the second. Notably, Babar Azam, the team’s star performer, failed to make an impact, contributing nothing across both innings.
Psychological Effects of a 267-Run Lead
The psychological burden of England’s commanding 267-run lead in the first innings loomed large over the Pakistani players. This insurmountable lead created immense pressure, causing a notable collapse in their second innings, where six batsmen failed to reach double figures. Abdullah Shafiq, despite scoring a century in the last innings, was dismissed for a duck. This mental strain demonstrated how significantly the lead affected the team’s mindset and performances.
Misguided Focus on Personal Milestones
Additionally, Pakistan’s plans to garner praise for individual performances fell flat. Despite centuries from Abdullah Shafiq, Shan Masood, and Salman Agha in the first innings, the discussion quickly shifted away from their accomplishments to the team’s collective failure. Many fans expressed frustration over the players prioritizing personal milestones instead of focusing on contributing to the team’s success, further straining public sentiment towards the team.
