Lunch Update: Pakistan 79 for 2 (Saim Ayub 40*, Kamran Ghulam 29*, Leach 2-35) vs England
In a gripping morning session in Multan, Jack Leach gave England an early advantage by taking two quick wickets, revealing the spinner-friendly nature of the pitch. However, Saim Ayub and debutant Kamran Ghulam fought back with a solid partnership, leading Pakistan’s recovery to 79 for 2 at lunch on the opening day of the second Test against England.
Leach’s performance in the first hour reaffirmed both teams’ expectations that the re-used pitch, which had seen five days of heavy batting in the previous Test, would now favor spin bowling. The left-arm spinner, who picked up seven wickets in the series opener, quickly put Pakistan on the back foot by dismissing Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood in quick succession.
England’s Early Breakthroughs
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Pakistan’s captain Shan Masood was keen to capitalize on a pitch that had been heavily watered and dried using industrial fans in the short turnaround since England’s innings victory last week. Despite being unsure of how the surface would behave, Masood felt confident that putting runs on the board would be crucial if the pitch deteriorates as anticipated.
England’s captain Ben Stokes quickly recognized the spin-friendly conditions and made an early change, replacing his seamers with twin spinners, Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir, within just five overs. The two spinners took charge of the game, bowling 19 of the next 21 overs. Joe Root even chipped in with a few overs to allow the spinners to switch ends before England returned to pace just before lunch in search of reverse swing.
Leach, who showed his proficiency on this pitch during the first Test, once again proved a threat. His first breakthrough came in the form of Abdullah Shafique, who had scored a century in the previous match. However, Shafique’s recent struggles at the top continued, and his partnership with Saim Ayub managed just 15 runs. Leach exploited the uncertain start, bowling a sharp spinner that beat Shafique’s outside edge before hitting the stumps, sending him back for 7.
In his very next over, Leach struck again, removing Shan Masood. Stokes’ strategic field placements paid off when Zak Crawley took a sharp catch at short midwicket, dismissing Masood for just 5.
Ayub and Ghulam Fight Back
At 19 for 2, the pressure was on Kamran Ghulam, who was making his Test debut as a replacement for the out-of-form Babar Azam. Ghulam showed no signs of nerves, showcasing his skill and temperament that earned him over 4500 first-class runs at an average of 49 in Pakistan’s domestic circuit. He began confidently, even hitting Leach for a straight six early in his innings to relieve some pressure.
Saim Ayub, who had not made a significant score in the series until now, found his rhythm and batted steadily to reach 40 not out by lunch. Together, Ayub and Ghulam added 60 runs in 19.2 overs, stabilizing Pakistan’s innings and setting up an intriguing afternoon session.
Pitch Conditions and Strategy
The pitch in Multan has already shown signs of assisting spinners, with Leach’s two early wickets indicating that the ball is gripping and turning. Pakistan will need to be cautious in their approach, as England’s spinners will continue to pose a threat throughout the day. For Pakistan, building partnerships and setting a substantial first-innings total will be crucial on this surface.
Looking Ahead
As play resumes after lunch, Ayub and Ghulam will aim to extend their partnership and guide Pakistan to a competitive total. With spin playing a major role early on, both teams will have to adapt their strategies accordingly. The contest is set for an exciting day of Test cricket, with both sides vying for control on a challenging pitch.
