PAK vs ENG: Agha and Jamal save Pakistan ending day at 152/6

• Pakistan’s second innings struggled as England’s bowlers took control, leaving them at 152/6.
• Aamer Jamal and Salman Ali Agha’s steady performance helped narrow the deficit to 115 runs.
• England declared their first innings at 823/7, with Harry Brook and Joe Root delivering centuries.

Pakistan faced a challenging day in their second innings as England’s bowlers took control, leaving the home side struggling at 152/6 by the end of play in the first Test at Multan Cricket Stadium on Thursday. Aamer Jamal and Salman Ali Agha’s steady performance towards the end, however, gave Pakistan hope for another day.

Salman played a crucial innings of 41 not out from 49 balls, while Jamal supported with an unbeaten 27 off 48 deliveries. Their partnership helped Pakistan narrow the deficit to 115 runs after England declared their first innings at a massive 823/7, following outstanding centuries by Harry Brook and Joe Root.

Pakistan’s second innings began disastrously, with Chris Woakes striking on the very first ball to dismiss Abdullah Shafique for a golden duck. Skipper Shan Masood fell soon after for just 11 runs, following his impressive first innings performance. England’s bowlers, led by Woakes, continued to dominate as Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, and Mohammad Rizwan were dismissed in quick succession, reducing Pakistan to 59/5.

A brief period of stability came when Salman and Saud Shakeel combined forces, but Shakeel’s dismissal at 24.2 overs once again put Pakistan on the back foot.

England’s massive first innings total was powered by Brook’s magnificent 317 and Root’s 262, both achieving personal bests on the flat pitch. The duo’s 409-run partnership pushed the visitors to a 267-run lead. Despite losing some key opportunities, such as Babar Azam dropping Root’s catch off Naseem Shah, England managed to stay firmly in control.

Pakistan’s leg-spinner Abrar Ahmad also missed a significant portion of the day due to illness, leaving the home side further compromised. Abrar, who bowled 35 wicketless overs, conceded 174 runs.

England declared at tea, having set a daunting target for Pakistan. With Salman Ali Agha and Aamer Jamal’s resilience, Pakistan concluded the day’s play at 152/6, with another day of the Test remaining.

Playing XI

Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmad

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir

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