England vs Pakistan, 2nd Test: Sajid Khan’s 4-Wicket Haul Rattles England, But Ben Duckett’s Century Guides Visitors to 239/6 on Day 2

England vs Pakistan: England’s Ben Duckett shines with a century, but Sajid Khan’s 4-wicket burst leaves the 2nd Test in Multan finely balanced as England ends Day 2 at 239/6, still trailing Pakistan by 127 runs.

The second Test between England and Pakistan at the Multan Cricket Stadium witnessed a gripping Day 2 as both teams showcased remarkable performances. The day started with England’s Ben Duckett leading the charge with an exceptional century but ended with Pakistan’s Sajid Khan creating havoc with a 4-wicket haul. At the close of play, the match is finely balanced, with England on 239/6, still 127 runs behind Pakistan’s first-innings total.

Ben Duckett’s Century Holds England Steady

England’s opener Ben Duckett emerged as the standout performer for the visitors, playing a vital knock at a time when his team desperately needed stability. Duckett, who had earlier dislocated his thumb in the first Test, came out determined, scoring a fluent 114. His innings was filled with aggressive shots, including his signature sweeps and reverse sweeps, allowing him to reach his fourth Test century in just 120 deliveries.

Duckett built crucial partnerships with Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, and Joe Root. Crawley contributed 27 runs before being dismissed by Pakistan spinner Noman Ali. Ollie Pope added a valuable 29 runs but couldn’t convert it into a bigger score. Joe Root, one of England’s most dependable players, chipped in with 34 runs before Sajid Khan’s spin attack began dismantling the batting lineup.

Despite the wickets falling around him, Duckett continued to play with confidence and precision. His century was a masterclass in counter-attacking cricket, especially against a formidable spin attack on a tricky pitch. His fluent strokeplay and ability to score off Pakistan’s spinners kept England in the game, but the collapse that followed his dismissal added tension to the contest.

England vs Pakistan: Sajid Khan’s Spin Web Wreaks Havoc

While Duckett held his own, it was Pakistan’s off-spinner Sajid Khan who turned the tide in favor of the hosts during the final session of the day. With England at 211-2 and looking poised for a strong finish, Sajid Khan’s 4-86 spell left England reeling. His sharp, turning deliveries trapped England’s middle-order in quick succession, sparking a dramatic collapse from 211-2 to 239-6.

Khan’s first breakthrough came when he dismissed Ollie Pope, breaking the strong partnership with Duckett. Joe Root soon followed, as Sajid trapped him lbw with a deceptive delivery. From there, the off-spinner took control, removing Harry Brook for a duck and then getting the prized wicket of Duckett himself, which was the turning point of the day.

At the end of Day 2, Jamie Smith (12*) and Brydon Carse (2*) were the last recognized batsmen, trying to stabilize England’s innings but with a long way to go. With Pakistan’s bowlers in fine form, the pressure will be on the English tail to close the deficit of 127 runs on Day 3.

Pakistan’s Lower Order Contributions Pay Off

Earlier in the day, Pakistan resumed their first innings at 259-5, with their lower-order batsmen adding crucial runs to stretch the team’s total to a competitive 366. Salman Agha played a gritty knock of 31, while Aamer Jamal contributed 37, and Noman Ali added 32 important runs, helping the hosts cross the 350-run mark. England’s spinner Jack Leach was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4-114, but the persistence of Pakistan’s lower-order batsmen ensured a solid first-innings total.

Outlook for Day 3

The second Test remains delicately poised as both sides will have their strategies cut out on Day 3. England will look to close the gap in runs, with Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse tasked with shepherding the lower order. Pakistan, on the other hand, will aim to wrap up England’s innings quickly and build on their lead to tighten their grip on the match.

As Duckett himself mentioned in a post-day interview, England won’t be playing for a draw. With the pitch expected to deteriorate further, runs in the early part of Day 3 will be crucial for both teams. Pakistan, having won the first Test, will look to seal the series, while England will fight to level it.

Conclusion

Day 2 of the second Test between England and Pakistan was an exhilarating contest of bat and ball. Ben Duckett’s brilliant century gave England a fighting chance, but Sajid Khan’s lethal spin ensured Pakistan stayed in control. As the match heads into Day 3, both teams have everything to play for, and the Multan crowd can expect another thrilling day of Test cricket.