- England lead three-match series against Pakistan 1-0 after impressive win
- The hosts are the first team to lose by innings after scoring 500 or more in the first innings.
- England can secure third straight win in the series when the second Test begins on Tuesday
This must go down as one of England’s most notable away victories. Having conceded 556 in the first innings, to be able to score so many runs and get a lead so quickly and to be able to find a way to get 20 wickets was incredible.
When Ben Stokes took over as captain he said England were not interested in draws. If you’re going to walk the talk, make sure you walk the walk, and they absolutely have. They continue to break records and make history.
Here in Multan, I especially liked his ruthlessness with the bat. They have definitely changed their approach after losing 4-1 in India earlier in the year.
They all say they were completely outplayed throughout that series when, in fact, in the Test matches they lost, they were in positions where the result could have been the other way around if they had been a little more ruthless. Since then, that Bazball reboot occurred.
For example, how many times did Joe Root play a reverse wicket before hitting 100? All of his reverse firsts come later.
England took a record win over Pakistan and a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
England were particularly ruthless with the bat as they scored 823 in their first innings.
What is most impressive is that England’s batting unit as a whole has managed to show ruthlessness and at the same time score five overs. They have managed to maintain their attacking instincts and play positive cricket, but they have simply been hungry for runs and have put their foot down on the opponent when they are down.
For all the brilliance they showed with the bat against Pakistan, they were almost as good with the ball, given that this was an inexperienced bowling attack. Chris Woakes has been around for a long time, but even he hasn’t bowled in Asia since 2016.
Brydon Carse was a real asset coming out of this test. In his debut, in these conditions and on very flat terrain, he demonstrated his ability and versatility. The match was won by England when they reduced Pakistan to 80-6 on Thursday night and a big part of that was down to Carse.
Gus Atkinson also impressed. After his brilliant first summer test, I hoped he could improve his form with a Dukes ball in English conditions away from home. Well, he showed here that he can be a threat away from home on the field and can bring out big players like Babar Azam.
So it looks like England have really increased their stock of fast bowlers in time for Australia next year.
There’s still a bit to work on, particularly receiving and trying to get Shoaib Bashir to throw more in a line of scrimmage.
Traveling fans were treated to one of England’s most notable away victories.
England bowling coach Jeetan Patel said after the first day that they had to look after Bashir and give him fields to defend. But in the second innings they had 800 runs on the board and the opposition 80-6 and Bashir was still bowling a liner off stump. His role should be to try and get wickets in these conditions and in Australia.
The challenge now for England is to hold on in these conditions because this match would have cost the seamers a lot. They may look to freshen things up and bring in Matthew Potts.
As for how they will bring Ben Stokes back, it depends on his fitness level.
If you are only fit enough to bat, you can just sit back and train your legs for a few more days. Otherwise Ollie Pope would be the most vulnerable because you need your full quota of bowling in these hot conditions on that pitch.
If Stokes can bowl a bit, perhaps I would consider having him as the fourth seamer and bring him in instead of Bashir. This release didn’t change much, even on the fifth day. Jack Leach’s wickets did not come from big deliveries. But if you think it’s going to spin, then you’ll keep your two spinners.
Yorkshire duo Joe Root (left) and Harry Brook (right) led the way with their record-breaking partnership.
If Stokes was going to be fully fit, he would possibly be brought in for someone like Woakes. But I don’t think you can have Stokes as a third sailor in these conditions, returning from a long and serious injury. It would be too risky and would demand too much of his other two closers.
As for Pakistan, they are at a very low point. They have already lost six tests in a row and have just announced a new selection committee.
They are in crisis and I don’t see England resting on its laurels or taking its foot off the accelerator.
