On the fourth day of the Multan Test, England’s batting lineup continued to dominate Pakistan, putting the visitors in a strong position as they surpassed the Green Caps’ first-innings lead of 556 runs. Playing at the International Cricket Stadium in Multan, England ended the day with a commanding total of 628 for the loss of just 3 wickets, leading Pakistan by 72 runs with seven wickets in hand.
Root and Brook Lead England’s Charge
England resumed their innings on the fourth day with Joe Root unbeaten on 176 and Harry Brook on 141. Both batsmen showed immense resilience, continuing from where they left off the previous day, and frustrated Pakistan’s bowlers as they piled on the runs. By the time play progressed deep into the day, Root had moved to a masterful 247, while Brook had reached his double century, scoring exactly 200 not out.
The partnership between Root and Brook has been nothing short of exceptional, with both batsmen capitalizing on a flat pitch that offered little assistance to Pakistan’s bowlers. Root, the former England captain, once again showcased his class with a mix of solid defense and elegant stroke play. His double century is a reminder of his dominance in Test cricket, as he took full advantage of the conditions in Multan.
Harry Brook, on the other hand, continued his fine form, reaching his maiden double century in Test cricket. The young batsman showed great maturity, building his innings patiently before accelerating to put Pakistan under pressure. His ability to rotate the strike and find gaps in the field kept Pakistan on the back foot throughout the day.
Pakistan’s Struggles in the Field
For Pakistan, it was a long and difficult day in the field. The bowlers toiled hard but could not find any consistent breakthroughs. Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi were the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, generating some movement with the new ball, but as the day wore on, the pitch flattened out, making it harder for the seamers to create opportunities.
One of the key moments in the day came when Babar Azam dropped a simple catch of Joe Root off Naseem Shah’s bowling. Root, who was batting on 186 at the time, was given a lifeline by Pakistan’s captain, and he made sure to take full advantage of the opportunity, adding another 61 runs after the missed chance. This dropped catch could prove to be a costly mistake for Pakistan, as it allowed England to extend their lead and further solidify their control over the match.
England’s Dominance
By the time England reached 628 for 3, they had firmly taken control of the match. Not only had they erased Pakistan’s first-innings lead of 556 runs, but they had also put themselves ahead by 72 runs with plenty of wickets in hand. The partnership between Root and Brook, which now stands at over 300 runs, has put Pakistan on the ropes, with England looking likely to continue piling on the runs on the fifth day.
While the Pakistani bowlers tried different tactics throughout the day, including varying their lengths and employing spinners to exploit any wear on the pitch, England’s batsmen were up to the task. Both Root and Brook played confidently, using the depth of the crease to deal with the spin and employing smart footwork to drive the fast bowlers.
Pakistan’s Batting Performance in the First Innings
Earlier in the match, Pakistan had posted an imposing total of 556 runs in their first innings, thanks to centuries from Shaan Masood, Abdullah Shafiq, and Salman Ali. Masood played a patient knock at the top of the order, while Shafiq’s stroke-filled century gave Pakistan momentum in the middle overs. Salman Ali’s innings was a timely contribution, as he took the attack to England’s bowlers in the lower middle order, helping Pakistan post a strong total.
However, England’s response has been nothing short of spectacular, as they have not only wiped out Pakistan’s lead but have also given themselves a platform to potentially bat Pakistan out of the game.
What’s Next?
As the match heads into the fifth and final day, all eyes will be on England’s approach. With a lead of 72 runs and seven wickets in hand, England will likely look to bat for a few more overs to extend their lead before declaring and putting Pakistan back into bat. For Pakistan, the task ahead is a daunting one. They will need to show immense resolve and batting discipline to salvage something from the match, especially considering the amount of time they will need to bat to avoid defeat.
With a pitch that has begun to show signs of wear and tear, Pakistan’s batsmen will need to negotiate England’s bowling attack carefully. The likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, and Jack Leach will be looking to exploit any assistance the pitch offers on the final day.
England’s batting dominance, led by Joe Root and Harry Brook, has put them in a commanding position on Day 4 of the Multan Test. After surpassing Pakistan’s first-innings total and taking a lead of 72 runs, England holds all the cards going into the final day. Pakistan will need a herculean effort with the bat if they are to save the game, while England will be eyeing a potential victory in Multan.
