England met resistance from an surprising supply on an unpredictable used pitch in Multan, with Huddersfield League graduate Kamran Ghulam making a debut century for Pakistan on day one of many second Take a look at.
Simply 4 months on from a low-key stint as abroad skilled for Hoylandswaine Cricket Membership in Barnsley, 29-year-old Ghulam proved himself a worthy alternative for his nation’s star batter Babar Azam, controversially rested after England’s resounding innings victory final week.
Ghulam made a studious 118 because the hosts posted 259 for 5, an inscrutable rating on a recycled floor that supplied a number of glimpses of uneven bounce with out turning into the snake-pit some feared.
Pakistan’s plan to make use of the identical strip because the sequence opener appeared as if it would backfire when England spinner Jack Leach snapped up two low-cost wickets within the first 10 overs, however Ghulam’s 149-run stand with Saim Ayub (77) eased considerations because the observe settled down.
The vacationers appeared as if they may struggle their method again into pole place once they picked up two extra scalps both facet of the tea, Matthew Potts drawing a delicate shot from Ayub after nearly 4 hours of resistance and Brydon Carse getting Saud Shakeel caught behind.
However Ghulam, who performed eight video games in South Yorkshire over the summer season earlier than being known as up for Pakistan A, steered by way of the uncertainty.
He was lastly bowled late within the day charging Shoaib Bashir, who appeared extremely relieved after struggling to make his presence felt in his preliminary spells.
Pitch Circumstances
Ben Stokes misplaced a toss he would dearly have beloved to win however was quickly overheard on the stump microphone shouting “it’s began already boys”, when a supply from Potts scuttled by way of at shin top outdoors off.
With some specialists anticipating the worn wicket would play awkwardly after taking greater than 350 overs within the opening match, alarm bells have been ringing.
Stokes known as for each spinners after simply 5 overs and Leach made an prompt influence, beating the bat twice earlier than putting along with his ninth ball. Abdullah Shafique was the person to fall, protecting the road however failing to account for the flip as Leach pegged again off stump.
Residence captain Shan Masood was spared a golden duck when Leach went up for lbw however was quickly gone for 3, excellently caught low down by Zak Crawley to depart Pakistan 19 for 2 as Babar’s untried alternative arrived on the crease.
The possibilities of implosion spiked when Leach acquired one to spit off a superb size at Ayub, who was fortunate to see the ball spray large of brief leg, however steadily the menace cooled. Ayub started rotating the strike and Ghulam settled any first day nerves by slamming Leach for six over long-on.
Spin Assault
Stokes searched for an additional breakthrough by having Leach and Bashir swap ends, in addition to utilising Joe Root, however they struggled to discover a size because the third-wicket stand reached 60 by lunch.
The established order held within the first half of the afternoon, with Leach and Bashir bowling unchanged for an hour of light accumulation. Restraint was the watchword for the batters, barring an occasional slog sweep, and there have been simply 30 runs in boundaries by the point their partnership reached 100.
A change of tempo had the specified impact for England, Carse getting his first ball again to jag in sharply earlier than a fit-again Stokes entered the fray within the forty ninth over. Twice in his first two overs he discovered Ghulam’s edge and twice it sailed by way of a vacant slip cordon for 4.
It nonetheless appeared as if it will be a wicketless session for England however Potts’ self-discipline got here good simply earlier than tea when Ayub pushed ahead and picked out Stokes at brief mid-off.
Match Motion
Carse took Shakeel’s edge after the break, rewarded for his brisk tempo and a touch of motion away, with Jamie Smith accumulating.
Ghulam’s focus appeared to be cracking too, Ben Duckett getting one hand to a troublesome probability off Leach on 79 earlier than an unsightly slog off Carse landed protected.
Chastened, he knuckled down once more to turn into register Pakistan’s thirteenth debut century with a boundary off Root.
With stumps in sight he paid for a second of exuberance, bowled by Bashir as he rushed down the observe.
Mohammad Rizwan remained to frustrate England, making 37 untidy runs and seeing a skinny edge go undetected off Potts, leaving honours nearly even.
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