At the close of the third day of the Multan Test, England put up a strong batting display in response to Pakistan’s impressive first-innings total of 556 runs. The visitors reached 492 for 3, with just a 64-run deficit remaining as Joe Root and Harry Brook led the charge with commanding centuries.
England’s Resilient Start on Day 3
The match, held at the International Cricket Stadium in Multan, resumed on Day 3 with England continuing their first innings at 96 for 1. England’s opener Zak Crawley was unbeaten on 64, while former captain Joe Root was at 32 when play began. With a challenging total set by Pakistan, England looked to build a solid foundation and bat long into the day.
However, the first breakthrough for Pakistan came early, courtesy of pacer Shaheen Afridi. On a team total of 113, Afridi dismissed the well-set Zak Crawley for 78 runs. Crawley, who had struck 13 boundaries in his knock, was caught by Amir Jamal, giving Pakistan a much-needed early wicket.
Ben Duckett’s Fightback and Amir Jamal’s Breakthrough
Despite the loss of Crawley, England continued to push forward. Ben Duckett, coming in at number four, played an aggressive and fluent innings. He capitalized on Pakistan’s bowling, finding the gaps and keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Duckett’s knock of 84 runs helped stabilize the innings, but Pakistan’s debutant bowler Amir Jamal provided the next breakthrough. Duckett was trapped lbw, and England found themselves at 236 for 3. Jamal’s dismissal of Duckett proved crucial, but it wasn’t enough to stop England’s momentum as their two most consistent performers—Joe Root and Harry Brook—came together at the crease.
Root and Brook’s Dominance: A Masterclass in Batting
England’s innings took a significant turn once Root and Brook established their partnership. The two batted with tremendous skill, taking on the Pakistan bowlers with ease. Joe Root, ever the dependable batsman for England, showcased his class with a superb knock of 176*. His innings was a display of patience and precision, striking 21 boundaries along the way.
Harry Brook, on the other hand, was equally impressive. His powerful 141* came at a brisk pace, with 16 boundaries and 3 sixes to his name. Brook’s ability to accelerate the run rate allowed England to close in on Pakistan’s total rapidly. Together, Root and Brook formed a partnership that kept Pakistan’s bowlers at bay for the remainder of the day.
By the end of the third day, England had posted a formidable 492 for 3, reducing the deficit to just 64 runs.
Pakistan’s Bowling Struggles
While Pakistan’s bowlers had dominated the early stages of the match, their inability to break through Root and Brook’s partnership left them struggling for answers by the end of Day 3. Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan’s spearhead, had a relatively quiet day despite picking up the key wicket of Crawley earlier. Afridi ended with figures of 1 for 92 from his 22 overs.
Amir Jamal, playing his debut Test, impressed with his ability to pick up key wickets. After dismissing Duckett, Jamal kept the pressure on England’s middle order, finishing with 1 for 83. Meanwhile, Naseem Shah claimed the wicket of Ollie Pope for a duck on the second day, but he too found it tough to penetrate England’s top-order later in the innings. His figures stood at 1 for 97 by the close of play.
Pakistan’s First-Innings Performance
Earlier in the match, Pakistan had posted an impressive total of 556 in their first innings, thanks to stellar centuries from Shaan Masood (153), Abdullah Shafique (132), and Salman Ali Agha (114). These contributions formed the backbone of Pakistan’s innings, with Saud Shakeel also playing a key role with his 82-run knock. Naseem Shah’s 33 runs and Babar Azam’s contribution of 30 runs further strengthened Pakistan’s score.
While England faced a mammoth task to match this total, they responded strongly, making it clear that the game was far from over.
The Road Ahead: A Tight Contest in the Offing
With two days remaining in the Test match, the game is delicately poised. England’s strong batting display on Day 3 has brought them within touching distance of Pakistan’s total, and their ability to build a lead will determine the course of the match.
For Pakistan, early wickets on Day 4 will be crucial to prevent England from running away with the game. The key challenge for Pakistan will be breaking the partnership between Root and Brook, which currently threatens to turn the match in England’s favor.
Both teams have plenty to play for, and the outcome of the Test remains uncertain. If England can build a lead, they will put Pakistan under immense pressure in their second innings. On the other hand, if Pakistan can strike early on Day 4, they will have the opportunity to bowl England out cheaply and look to chase down a modest target.
As things stand, the Multan Test is shaping up to be a thrilling contest with plenty of twists and turns yet to come. Fans from both sides will be eagerly awaiting what promises to be an exciting Day 4 in Multan.
