In an entertaining contest on Day 4 of the Multan Test England beat Pakistan by 26 runs to seal the series 2-0 and continue their impressive run under the stewardship of Brendon McCullum. Needing 157 runs to win with five wickets in hand on Day 4, the hosts were bundled out for 328 against a resolute English bowling attack as Mark Wood turned out to be the difference-maker with four wickets. The win saw England clinch their first series win on Pakistan soil in 22 years while Saud Shakeel’s 94-run innings proved to be just a consultation.
Entertaining Day 4
Needing 157 runs on Day 4, Pakistan started the day with Shakeel and Mohammad Nawaz (45 off 62 deliveries) as they kept the hosts in the match. While they looked good on the day, it was Mark Wood’s golden arm that made the difference as he scalped Nawaz and later Zahid Mahmood (0) to break the backbone of Pakistan tail.
On the flip side, Shakeel, who looked impressive with the bat was scalped on a controversial call as he was caught behind on 94. He was left disappointed to miss out on the hundred while also leaving Pakistan in a vulnerable position. Things got bad to worse after his dismissal and Pakistan were steering at 291/7 at lunch time.
22 years since last Test series win on Pakistan soil
After the break it was James Anderson, Wood and Robinson who turned the screws for the visitors and clinched the win by 26 runs. The win was England’s first Test series win on Pakistan soil in 22 years, having last won a series on the opposition territory in 2000 under the captaincy of Nasser Hussain when they clinched the Karachi Test to win series 1-0.
WTC standings
The win for England does no favour to them as they are already out of the World Test Championship (WTC) final race. However, the win in Multan has now seen Pakistan’s prospect all but over as they face an uphill task to make the final in England in June 2023. The win also sees Ben Stokes continue his impressive run as skipper, having won eight matches in the format since being appointed as the skipper of the side in June. He has won all the Test series he has been in charge of, beating New Zealand, India, South Africa and now Pakistan.
