No team in the history of Test cricket had previously ever lost a match by an innings after scoring 500+ runs in their first innings. Pakistan, however, continues to struggle at home and creates another unwanted record.
Despite their strong start with 556 runs in the first innings against England, the hosts got bowled out for 220 in their second innings in Multan to end up losing the Test by an innings and 47 runs.
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How did England manage to dominate after Pakistan’s big total?
England’s response was nothing short of remarkable. Powered by a record-breaking triple century from Harry Brook (317) and a double century from Joe Root (262), the visitors posted a mammoth 823/7 before declaring.
The standout moment of this Test was the monumental 454-run partnership between Root and Brook—the highest ever against Pakistan. The two dominated the bowling attack, neutralizing all Pakistani efforts to break through.
Brook’s 317 came at a brisk rate, making him the second-fastest to the triple century in Test history, behind Virender Sehwag.
The impressive total of 823, the fourth-highest in Test history, came at a rapid pace, with England scoring at 5.48 runs per over. Their aggressive approach left Pakistan with a daunting deficit and limited time to win the match.
Could Pakistan’s second innings collapse have been avoided?
Pakistan’s second innings collapse began disastrously right from the first delivery. First-innings centurion Abdullah Shafique, who looked solid in the initial innings, fell to a well-executed Chris Woakes delivery.
The slide continued after the Tea interval as Gus Atkinson struck twice in quick succession. Shan Masood could not repeat his first innings heroics. The bigger blow came when Babar Azam, who has been struggling for form lately, fell without reaching fifty yet again.
The quick loss of their top three batsmen put immense pressure on the middle order, which crumbled under England’s relentless bowling attack.
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With half the team back in the pavilion at the end of day 4 with a huge deficit to overcome, Pakistan moved into day 5 with some hope of resilience from the lower order.
However, they couldn't sustain the pressure of the scoreboard after being hit so much and crumbled within a session on day 5, losing Salman Ali Agha at 63 followed by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah for 10 and 6 respectively. Aamir Jamal carried the bat with a fighting 55 but it wasn't enough/
What does this mean for Pakistan’s Test record?
After Pakistan failed to avoid an inning defeat, this Test match in Multan goes down as one of their most forgettable performances in recent history.
No team had ever lost a Test match by an innings after posting 500 or more runs in the first innings, making Pakistan’s current predicament a potential entry into the wrong side of cricket history.
Additionally, a defeat like this further tarnishes their already struggling Test record, extending their losing streak to six consecutive Test.
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