Leach leads England rout of Pakistan in first Test

After Harry Brook and Joe Root’s record partnership turned things around, England’s bowlers, led by spinner Jack Leach, defeated Pakistan in the first Test in Multan on Friday.

England’s attack made short work of the last four Pakistan batters on the fifth day, dismissing the hosts for 220 to win by an innings and 47 runs, and draw first blood in the three-match series.

The win is England’s fourth consecutive Test triumph on Pakistan soil, after a 3-0 whitewash two years ago. In the previous 61 years, England had only won two away Tests against Pakistan. Additionally, England completed a number of exciting new milestones.

“This win would be right up there. Definitely top three”, said captain Ollie Pope, standing in for injured skipper Ben Stokes.

England breaks new records in Pakistan.

Brook smashed 317 and Root a record-setting 262 in England’s mammoth 823-7 declared, giving the visitors a 267-run lead and both players their highest Test scores.

Their 454, England’s highest-ever partnership for any wicket in Test cricket, also delivered an improbable advantage after Pakistan amassed an impressive 556 first-innings total.

Pope was full of praise for Brook and Root’s heroics. He credited them with their determination and prowess in positioning the team well.

England had posted the fourth-highest Test innings total of 823-7 by the close of play on a lifeless pitch, and the hosts were 152-6 at the halfway point. Root also rose to the top run-scorer in Test history among England.

The first 17 wickets were lost for a mammoth 1, 379 runs, and England’s bowlers then struck back with a dagger on a lifeless Multan pitch. Before Salman Agha and Aamer Jamal joined forces for Pakistan’s only meaningful partnership, Pakistan were reeling at 82-6 at the conclusion of the fourth day.

The pair added 109 before Leach, who led the charge with 4-30, made the first breakthrough by dislodging Salman for a fighting 63 and opening the floodgates on the fifth day.

After wrapping up Pakistan’s second innings, Leach made a wise return catch to get Shaheen Shah Afridi for 10 before stumping Naseem Shah for six. Abrar Ahmed, the last player, had a high fever and was taken to the hospital where he was unable to bat.

“When you come out to bat again and you’re 260 runs behind and the pitch is three days older, it’s never easy”, said Pope of Pakistan’s second-innings predicament. Pope also lauded the grit shown by England’s inexperienced attack. Gus Atkinson, who took 2-46, and debutant Brydon Carse, who finished with 2-66, “our bowlers got the odd ball reverse and spin,” he said.

In Multan, Pakistan and Masood are left to pick up the pieces.

The defeat puts Pakistan’s captain’s workload even higher, adding even more pressure on him. The worst start for any Pakistan captain has come with six straight defeats, three of which came against Bangladesh at home and three against Australia.

“It can’t be more disappointing than this”, said Masood. After two days in the sun and a gap of 556, England managed to win. The harsh reality of Test cricket is that no matter what the pitch quality side finds a way to win, they always batted big and when they came back with the ball they had a plan and created a window of opportunity in the second innings.