England's Defeat in Multan: What Went Wrong and What to Expect in the Final Test

Table Of Contents

Overview of the 2nd Test Match in Multan

England’s defeat in Multan on October 19, 2024, by 152 runs marks a significant moment in the ongoing series against Pakistan. The match, held at the Multan Cricket Stadium, saw Pakistan capitalize on their home advantage with a strong performance, particularly from their spin bowlers and key batters. The conditions, which favored spin, played a crucial role in Pakistan’s victory as England struggled to cope, especially in the second innings.

Pakistan posted a solid total of 556 in their first innings, with notable contributions from Ghulam and Salman Ali Agha, who both scored crucial centuries. England responded with 340, with Ben Duckett standing out as one of the few English batters who adapted well to the conditions. However, their inability to form substantial partnerships led to a collapse, especially when Pakistan’s spinners came into the attack.

England’s bowlers, despite some promising moments, couldn’t contain Pakistan’s strong batting lineup. Jack Leach took four wickets but couldn’t prevent Pakistan from building a sizable lead. In the second innings, Pakistan's bowling attack dominated once again, dismissing England for just 152, sealing a comprehensive win for the hosts.

England’s Batting Struggles on Day 4 and 5

England’s batting woes were a defining feature of the Multan Test, particularly on the last two days. The team entered Day 4 with a challenging task of chasing a daunting target set by Pakistan. However, England’s batting lineup failed to build meaningful partnerships, ultimately leading to their downfall.

On Day 4, England lost early wickets, which set the tone for their struggles. The top order, including Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, who had performed well in previous innings, couldn't maintain consistency against Pakistan's spinners. The middle order, traditionally a strong point for England, also faltered. Despite resistance from Ben Stokes and Joe Root, neither could anchor the innings or provide the momentum needed to shift the pressure back on Pakistan.

One of the primary reasons for England’s collapse was their inability to handle the spin-friendly conditions. Pakistan’s spinners, particularly Ghulam and Salman, exploited the cracks on the pitch, making it increasingly difficult for England’s batters to read the turn and bounce. The English batters struggled with footwork and often found themselves caught on the crease, leading to several soft dismissals​.

Additionally, Pakistan's field placements and bowling strategies were spot on, forcing England into defensive play, which led to errors. By Day 5, England had already lost too many wickets to pose any significant threat, and Pakistan's bowlers wrapped up the innings efficiently. England was bowled out for just 152, a score that reflected their struggles and Pakistan's dominance.

England’s Batting Struggles on Day 4 and 5


Pakistan’s Dominance with the Ball

Pakistan’s bowling attack was the driving force behind their victory in Multan, particularly their spin trio, which exposed England’s vulnerability to spin in subcontinental conditions. Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, and Shaheen Afridi led the charge, exploiting the turn-friendly pitch and making life difficult for England’s batters.

Ghulam, Pakistan’s star spinner, played a key role throughout the match, particularly on the crucial fourth and fifth days. His ability to extract significant turn from the pitch, coupled with precise line and length, led to critical breakthroughs. Ghulam finished with figures of 4/50, dismissing key English batters like Joe Root and Ben Stokes. His variations in speed and trajectory left the English batters guessing, contributing to their collapse.

Salman Ali Agha, another spinner, was equally effective, claiming important wickets and putting England under relentless pressure. His ability to keep the batters tied down created opportunities for other bowlers. Shaheen Shah Afridi, although known more for his fast bowling, also played an important role in the second innings, delivering with reverse swing and using his pace to rattle the English lower order. Shaheen’s aggressive approach, particularly against England’s tailenders, ensured that the opposition couldn’t mount any late resistance.

Pakistan’s strategic use of spin and pace, combined with sharp fielding, played a huge part in England’s defeat. Their ability to exploit the conditions and adjust their bowling strategies as the match progressed showcased their experience and tactical acumen.

Standout Performers from Both Teams

Despite the loss, several standout performances from both teams defined the 2nd Test in Multan. For Pakistan, it was Ghulam and Salman Ali Agha who stole the show with both the bat and ball. Ghulam's century in the first innings laid the foundation for Pakistan's mammoth score of 556, allowing his team to dictate the match’s tempo from early on. He also took crucial wickets in the second innings, demonstrating his all-round capabilities and his value to the team​.

Salman Ali Agha was another pivotal figure. His resilience at the crease and contribution of 104 runs was instrumental in building Pakistan's commanding lead. With the ball, Salman picked up key wickets at vital stages, breaking partnerships and maintaining pressure on England. His contribution as a second spinner was crucial in taking advantage of the turning pitch​.

For England, Ben Duckett was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise challenging match. His half-century in the second innings showed a degree of adaptability to the spin-friendly conditions that other batters struggled with. Joe Root, although not at his best, still managed to score important runs, keeping England in the contest during their first innings​.

On the bowling side, Jack Leach was England’s standout performer. He bowled long spells with control and discipline, taking four wickets in Pakistan’s second innings and playing a key role in restricting them to a manageable total. Leach’s ability to consistently trouble the Pakistani batters was one of the few positive takeaways for England from this match​.

Tactical Mistakes by England

One of the most significant factors behind England’s defeat in Multan was a series of tactical mistakes, both in team selection and on-field decisions. The choice to rely heavily on pace bowling, despite knowing that subcontinental pitches typically favor spinners, was a major miscalculation. England’s decision to go with just one specialist spinner, Jack Leach, left them vulnerable on a pitch that progressively offered more turn and bounce for spin bowlers. This imbalance in their bowling attack allowed Pakistan to score freely, particularly in their first innings​.

Another critical mistake was England’s approach to batting against spin. Instead of being patient and waiting for the bad balls, several batters tried to be overly aggressive, playing risky shots that led to their downfall. This was evident in the dismissals of Joe Root and Ben Stokes, both of whom are experienced players but failed to adjust their game to the conditions. England’s inability to build partnerships further compounded the problem, as batters fell in quick succession without offering any real resistance.

England’s field settings and bowling strategies also came under scrutiny. Pakistan's batters were allowed to rotate the strike too easily, especially during the partnership between Ghulam and Salman Ali Agha. By the time England attempted more aggressive field placements and strategic bowling changes, the damage had already been done. These missteps highlight the need for better adaptability in unfamiliar conditions, something England will need to address before the final Test​.

What to Expect in the Final Test

The final Test between England and Pakistan, starting on October 24th, is set to be a thrilling encounter. Both teams will be eager to claim victory, with the series currently level. Pakistan will go into the match with momentum, having dominated the second Test in Multan. Their confidence will be high, especially with their spin bowlers in top form and key batters like Ghulam and Salman Ali Agha delivering crucial performances​.

England, on the other hand, will need to regroup and address their shortcomings from the previous match. One area they are likely to adjust is their team selection. England may opt to bring in a second specialist spinner, as the conditions in Rawalpindi are expected to offer similar assistance to slow bowlers as Multan. This change could help them counter Pakistan’s spin attack more effectively​.

The pitch in Rawalpindi is expected to be more batting-friendly during the initial stages, meaning the toss will play a significant role. England will be keen to bat first, hoping to post a big total and put pressure on Pakistan. However, if they lose the toss and have to bowl first, the onus will be on their bowlers, particularly Jack Leach and whoever may be brought in as a second spinner, to keep Pakistan’s scoring in check.

Expect tactical battles between the two captains, especially in terms of how they manage their bowling rotations and field placements. For Pakistan, sticking to the successful formula of using spin as the primary weapon will be key. For England, better decision-making and a more measured approach to batting will be essential if they are to avoid another collapse and push for a series win​.

What to Expect in the Final Test


England’s World Test Championship Prospects After the Defeat

England’s defeat in Multan has put a dent in their World Test Championship (WTC) aspirations. Currently, their win-loss ratio and points percentage have taken a hit, and with limited matches remaining in the cycle, every game is crucial. The loss has left England needing a win in the final Test to keep their chances of qualifying for the WTC final alive.

To boost their chances, England will need to secure a convincing victory in the final Test in Rawalpindi. A win would not only level the series but also improve their standing in the WTC rankings. However, if they lose or even draw, their hopes of reaching the WTC final could be severely hampered. With teams like India and Australia also vying for spots, England will need to take maximum points from the final Test and hope for favorable results in other matches across the championship​.

Pakistan, on the other hand, has already been eliminated from the race to the WTC final, but they are playing for pride and rebuilding momentum for future series. For Pakistan, a series win against England would be a massive confidence boost and set the tone for upcoming international fixtures​.