Pakistan Spinners Shake Up England in Dramatic Day Two

Second Test, Multan (Day Two)  

Pakistan 366: Ghulam 118, Ayub 77; Leach 4-114, Carse 3-50  

England 239-6: Duckett 114; Sajid 4-86  

England trail by 127 runs

Pakistan’s spinners turned the tide in the second Test against England in Multan, tearing through the visitors' middle order and swinging the momentum in their favour on a gripping second day.

England, chasing Pakistan’s total of 366, looked comfortable at 211-2, with Ben Duckett leading the charge with an impressive 114. However, off-spinner Sajid Khan spearheaded a Pakistan comeback, triggering a collapse that saw England lose four wickets for just 14 runs in a devastating 18-ball period.

Sajid’s impact on the used pitch was immediate. He bowled Joe Root with a ball that stayed low, tempted Duckett into an edge, and delivered a brilliant delivery to bowl Harry Brook. Ben Stokes followed soon after, caught at short leg off Noman Ali, leaving England in disarray at 239-6, 127 runs behind.

Earlier in the day, Jack Leach claimed four wickets while Brydon Carse took three, wrapping up Pakistan’s innings shortly after lunch. But by the end of the day, Carse found himself back at the crease, trying to hold off Pakistan’s relentless attack alongside Jamie Smith.

Pakistan’s total of 366 was reminiscent of their first Test performance, where they posted 556 runs but were blown away by England’s aggressive batting style. With Duckett looking solid and building partnerships with Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, and Root, England appeared to be repeating that success.

Sajid, part of four changes made to Pakistan’s lineup, was undeterred by England’s fast-scoring approach, with Duckett and Root keeping the run rate above five an over. But as the pitch began to wear after seven days of use, the surface began to favour the bowlers. Root’s sweep shot led to his downfall, Duckett fell trying to drive from a rough patch, and Brook’s decision to force against the spin backfired. Stokes, returning after missing four Tests, played cautiously but was caught out.

What had started as a promising day for England turned into a fight for survival as Pakistan gained control. England’s hopes of gaining a first-innings lead quickly vanished, and even reaching parity now seems a challenge. The prospect of batting last on this deteriorating pitch adds further pressure, as Pakistan looks to level the series.

Duckett, who dislocated his thumb in the first Test, made batting look easy at the start, feasting on Pakistan’s spin bowling with his trademark sweeps and reverse sweeps. England raced to a run-a-ball start, although Crawley struggled against the spin, narrowly avoiding a run-out on 20 and surviving a leg-before decision on 24 before edging Noman Ali for 27.

Pope played cautiously but was bowled for 29, driving at a ball from Sajid. Duckett then teamed up with Root, a fellow master of spin, and continued his free-flowing innings. He reached 2,000 Test runs faster than anyone else in history, with a flurry of sweeps and reverses, bringing up his century from 120 balls.

Just when England seemed in control, Root’s dismissal sparked a collapse, and chaos ensued. What once looked like a comfortable day for England turned into an uphill battle to stay in the game.