Pakistan Sets 297-Run Target for England in 2nd Test

• Pakistan set a 297-run target for England, despite a crumbling top order.
• England's Shoaib Bashir dismantled Pakistan's batting line-up, claiming key wickets.
• England needs 261 runs to win at the end of the second innings on day three.

MULTAN: On day three of the second Test in Multan, Pakistan set a challenging 297-run target for England after securing a substantial 296-run lead, thanks in part to Salman Ali Agha’s crucial knock of 63. Despite Pakistan’s top order crumbling under pressure from England’s bowlers, they managed to push forward with a competitive score.

England’s Shoaib Bashir played a pivotal role in dismantling Pakistan’s batting line-up, claiming key wickets of Abdullah Shafique (4), Saim Ayub (22), Shan Masood (11), and Noman Ali (1). Jack Leach further unsettled the hosts by dismissing Kamran Ghulam (26), Saud Shakeel (31), and Aamer Jamal (1). Salman, however, showed resilience, smashing 63 off 89 balls before falling to Brydon Carse in the 58th over. Carse also removed Mohammad Rizwan, who scored a modest 19.

Pakistan began their second innings with a lead of 75 runs but found themselves in trouble at 77-4. Earlier in the day, Sajid Khan’s remarkable seven-wicket haul helped bowl out England for 291 in response to Pakistan’s first-innings score of 366. Sajid’s performance, complemented by Noman Ali’s three wickets, showcased Pakistan’s spin-dominant strategy. England’s Ben Duckett shone with a gritty 114, but several other batters struggled to make significant contributions.

The turning pitch prompted England captain Ben Stokes to deploy spin from both ends, with Shoaib Bashir and Jack Leach leading the attack. Joe Root also contributed as a part-time spinner, enhancing England’s spin-heavy strategy to counter Pakistan’s batsmen.

Kamran Ghulam, who scored a century in his debut innings, was one of Pakistan’s top scorers in the first innings with 118, while Saim Ayub supported him with a solid 77. England, leading the three-Test series 1-0, now faces a testing chase on a spin-friendly track in Multan.

Pakistan Playing XI

Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Zahid Mehmood

England Playing XI

Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wk), Brydon Carse, Matt Potts, Jack Leach and Shoaib Bashir

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