England’s opener Ben Duckett scored his fourth Test century before the tourists collapsed at the hands of Pakistan’s spin-heavy attack on day two of the second Test.
Duckett and Zak Crawley (27) shared a speedy 73-run opening stand replying to Pakistan’s first innings total of 366 on an unpredictable Multan wicket.
However, Pakistan’s Sajid Khan (4-80) ripped through England’s middle order towards the close of play which saw the visitors lose the four big wickets of Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook and captain Ben Stokes for just 14 runs, with the latter departing for just one, to leave England 127 runs adrift.
Jamie Smith (12) and Brydon Carse (2) helped to steady the ship on a turning wicket, adding a cautious unbeaten 14-run stand to guide England to 239-6 at stumps.
Resuming day two on 259-5, Pakistan’s Noman Ali (32) and Aamer Jamal (37) shared a defiant 49-run partnership for the ninth wicket which dragged the hosts to a respectable par score and forced England’s bowling attack to work hard for all 10 wickets.
Senior spinner Jack Leach (4-114) starred with the ball taking a four-fer whilst Carse (3-50) and Matthew Potts (2-66) also contributed.
Pakistan will look to wrap up England’s middle and lower order on day three, live on Sky Sportsto ensure they have a lead before their second innings where they have a tendency to collapse, as they did in the first Test.
More to follow…
First Test: Multan – October 7-11 – England won by an innings and 47 runs
Second Test: Multan – October 15-19
Third Test: Rawalpindi – October 24-28
Watch day three of the second Test between Pakistan and England in Multan, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event from 5.50am on Wednesday, ahead of play starting from 6am. Stream with NOW
