The first Test between Pakistan and England in Multan has sparked controversy due to the nature of the pitch. Former England captain Kevin Pietersen voiced his concerns on social media, calling the Multan pitch a "bowlers' graveyard."
Pakistan's batters, particularly Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique, dominated Day 1, frustrating England's bowlers with a strong 258-run stand. Pietersen's comments reflect the dissatisfaction many England supporters feel about the one-sided nature of the contest.
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What did Kevin Pietersen say on the Multan pitch?
Kevin Pietersen took to his X account to express his frustration with the Multan pitch. He criticized the surface for being too favourable to batters, offering no help to the bowlers.
Pietersen's tweet read, "That wicket in Multan - bowlers GRAVEYARD!" His remark pointed out how difficult it was for England’s bowlers to pick up wickets on such a pitch.
That wicket in Multan - bowlers GRAVEYARD!
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) October 7, 2024
England's struggles on Day 1 against Pakistan
England’s bowling attack, led by inexperienced bowlers like Gus Atkinson and debutant Brydon Carse, found it tough to make breakthroughs. Only Jack Leach, the team’s main spinner, had experience playing in Pakistan, but even he couldn’t turn the tide.
Pakistan’s Shan Masood played a captain’s knock, scoring 151 runs with a strike rate of over 85, while Abdullah Shafique also scored a century. Their 253-run partnership gave Pakistan complete control on Day 1.
Michael Vaughan, another former England captain, also joined Pietersen in criticizing the Multan pitch. He jokingly referred to it as a "road," implying it was too flat for bowlers to have any real chance.
The pitch's batting-friendly nature left England with no answers on Day 1, and the bowlers struggled throughout the sessions, failing to put pressure on the Pakistani batters.
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With the surface offering little help, the visitors will need a miracle to turn things around in this Test. The flat track has already become a talking point, raising questions about its fairness for a balanced contest.
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