Pakistan crumble in historic loss against England

MULTAN: Pakistan became the first team in the history of cricket to score over 500 runs and then lose by an innings on Friday, in their defeat against England.

England closed out the first test match of their tour of Pakistan in the morning session of day five. After morale was crushed from England’s historic first innings, which saw them score 823 runs before declaring, the fourth highest innings total ever, Pakistan didn’t have much fight left in them.

After Abdullah Shafique was bowled by Chris Woakes on the very first ball of the innings, taking out the off stump. Pakistan’s skipper, Shan Masood, would be dismissed next. He made an impressive 150 in the first innings, which was quickly fogettten after England’s record breaking inning, but nonetheless, Pakistan were relying on him to bring some stability into the batting lineup.

At the end of the eighth over, Gus Atkinson successfully baited Masod into hitting the ball straight to Zac Crawley, who comfortably made the catch. Atkinson would strike again in the twelfth, as he found the edge of Babar Azam’s bat before wicket keeper Jamie Smith took the catch, making the former ODI captain’s already emberassing performance, even more dismal. Pakistan stood at 41 for 3 at the end of the over, signalling to everyone that this match was a lost cause.

Pakistan crumbles: England’s historic day on the field

To make things worse, Saim Ayub would fall to Brydon Carse on the very first ball he bowled in the very next over. An awful shot from Ayub towards mid off led to an incredible catch from Duckett. Now, Pakistan were 41 for 4.

Pakistan’s batsmen weren’t able to gain any momentum, a trend that continued through the eighteenth over, in which Mohammad Rizwan was bowled, giving Carse his second wicket of the innings.

Next, Saud Shakeel would fall in the 25th over, as a delivery from Jack Leach would ricochet off Shakeels bat and into Smith’s gloves. Leach would go on an absolute tear following his first dismissal, ending the contest after taking three more wickets, for a total of four in the innings, and seven in the match.

Salman Agha would be sent off in the 49th over after the ball found his front pad. The umpire gave the wicket, and Agha reviewed it but the ball’s trajectory showed it smashing the leg stump. Agha was sent off after making 63 runs from 84 balls, the highest total in Pakistan’s second innings.

Shaheen Shah Afridi would be dismissed in the 55th over, after a confident swing set the ball back in Leach’s direction, who leaped and took the catch. Pakistan’s ninth and final wicket, due to Abrar Ahmed being absent with an injury, would fall three balls later. Naseem Shah galloped forward and the ball went past him. Smith whipped off the bails ending Pakistan’s misery.

Records tumble as Brook, Root guide England to 823 before Pakistan collapse

Pakistan scored 220, losing to England by an innings and 47 runs.

Harry Brook would be named the player of the match thanks to his magnificent triple century, which was the first by an English batsman in 34 years, and helped England to get to the 823 run total that was too intimidating for Pakistan to tackle. Joe Root also had an incredible performance, becoming the leading test run scorer for England, and the fifth most all time.

Shan Masood became the first Pakistan captain to lose six test matches in a row, which is the team’s joint-longest losing streak.