This is how we rated the England and Pakistan gamers out of 10 after the hosts’ 152-run victory within the second Check in Multan.
Zak Crawley – 5 out of 10
England’s opener notched scores of 27 and three throughout the second Check and was unable to offer the same old risk he does on the prime of the order.
England’s mixture of right-handed Crawley and left-handed Ben Duckett makes it tough for opponents to bowl at them, however in Multan the Kent batter was twice eliminated by off-spinner Noman Ali permitting the hosts to make early inroads.
Ben Duckett – 7
The Nottinghamshire batter posted his fourth Check century on day two as he powered England to 291 throughout their first innings.
When Duckett final travelled to Pakistan throughout England’s tour in 2022, he was coming again into the red-ball set-up and scored three half-centuries and one ton.
His efficiency in Multan has been a continuation of that with Sky Sports activities’ Michael Atherton calling it a “love affair with Pakistan”.
Within the second innings, although, he was eliminated for a two-ball duck by leg-spinner Sajid Khan as England struggled in opposition to Pakistan’s spin-heavy assault.
Ollie Pope – 6
Ollie Pope handed again the reins to Ben Stokes after captaining England throughout their first Check win in Multan the place he was eliminated for a duck by the now dropped Naseem Shah.
The Surrey batter scored 29 and 22 and it might be argued that his launch from captaincy duties has allowed him to give attention to scoring runs for the workforce as he supplied resistance within the top-order.
Joe Root – 7
England’s main Check run-scorer had a excessive rating of 34 in Multan. His capability to bat in opposition to spin was extremely helpful given the hosts had chosen 4 spin choices after additionally dropping Shaheen Shah Afridi for the second Check.
Root solely managed 18 runs earlier than he was trapped leg-before by Noman throughout the early hours of day 4 and didn’t decide up a wicket throughout his 10 overs within the south of Pakistan.
The Yorkshireman additionally dropped Salman Ali Agha (63) at slip on six with the Pakistan batter occurring to hit a half-century and, within the context of England’s loss, it was a vital error.
Harry Brook – 5
Brook has typically been described as a ‘pure Bazballer’ however, after his elegant 319 within the first Check, his figures dropped considerably within the second, solely notching 9 and 16.
The Yorkshireman was one in all 4 gamers in England’s second innings to depart in single figures because the guests suffered a rare collapse.
Ben Stokes (c) – 7
When England have been left trying to find a Multan miracle on the finish of day three, Sky Sports activities’ Nasser Hussain mentioned the situation was “made for” captain Ben Stokes.
If there was one participant that might get England out of hassle, it will be their skipper and whereas he was unable to rescue his aspect, that popularity alone is a reasonably excellent one to have.
Stokes captained effectively all through the second Check. He used his spinners, Jack Leach (7-181) and Shoaib Bashir (5-151), with the brand new ball, waited for it to get previous and reverse, earlier than bringing himself and his seamers on to extract any swing that was on provide. There by no means appeared a degree within the Check the place he was not being proactive.
It was Stokes’ first Check since he sustained a hamstring harm that dominated him out of the Sri Lanka house collection in the summertime and he managed to bowl 10 overs on his return.
Stokes (37) hit England’s highest second-innings rating earlier than he was stumped by Mohammad Rizwan after lacking a sweep shot together with his bat flying out of his hand.
Jamie Smith – 6
Since Smith’s Check debut in opposition to West Indies in the summertime, the Surrey wicketkeeper-batter has continued to shine.
“He has taken to Test cricket like a duck to water,” mentioned Hussain earlier this yr and it stays true.
The 24-year-old took 5 sensible catches within the area and appears agile behind the stumps. Nonetheless, he additionally dropped Salman on 4, the one mistake he has made thus far throughout his first abroad Check tour.
Smith added 21 and 6 with the bat and continues to embody head coach Brendon McCullum’s message of positivity and aggression.
Brydon Carse – 7
The Durham fast completed with figures of 5-79 and made important breakthroughs in opposition to Pakistan’s center order.
It was the third time he has dismissed Rizwan, one of many hosts’ greatest batters, throughout 4 innings and with the collection now on the road, his efficiency could get him a spot within the third and closing Check in Rawalpindi, reside on Sky Sports activities Cricket.
Out of the 29 overs Carse bowled, seven of them have been maidens. He additionally contributed within the area, taking a catch to dismiss Noman (32).
Matthew Potts – 5
The 25-year-old claimed three wickets throughout each innings, dismissing Saim Ayub (77) and Salman (31) within the first innings and Sajid Khan (22) within the second.
Potts was introduced into the aspect to exchange a rested Gus Atkinson and whereas he totals much less wickets than some other bowler, he did make essential breakthroughs to assist the pendulum swing in England’s favour.
Jack Leach – 8
The senior Somerset spinner continues to shine in Pakistan. Throughout England’s 3-0 whitewash two years in the past, Leach picked up 15 wickets and appears on track for the same determine this time spherical, ending the second Check on figures of 7-181.
He made probably the most of Multan’s unpredictable wicket which began spinning extra on its seventh day of use. His position within the workforce can also be strengthened by his mentorship of fellow Somerset teen Shoaib Bashir.
Shoaib Bashir – 7
The 21-year-old initially struggled for wickets, conceding 85 runs within the first innings for a solitary wicket, though it was the prized scalp of Pakistan’s centurion Kamran Ghulam (118).
Bashir was rewarded for his laborious work within the Multan warmth within the second innings the place he completed with a four-fer as he rattled via Pakistan’s top-order leaving them 43-3.
Pakistan’s spinners star in Multan insanity
Saim Ayub – 6
Pakistan’s opener Saim Ayub registered scores of 77 and 22 getting his aspect off to a optimistic begin in opposition to England’s robust spin assault and guaranteeing the hosts had resistance up prime.
The 22-year-old’s scores additionally vastly contrasted with fellow opener Abdullah Shafique who was dismissed in single figures each instances.
Abdullah Shafique – 4
The 24-year-old scored a superb century within the first Check however within the second he seemed removed from his greatest with scores of simply seven and 4. He totalled 14 runs throughout the 4 days off 47 balls.
Nonetheless, Shaifque commonly contributed to the fielding efforts, taking three catches in Pakistan’s 152-run victory.
Shan Masood (c) – 6
The Pakistan skipper has been disappointing with the bat since his 151 within the first Check. The 35-year-old scored three and 11 earlier than he was dismissed by Leach and Bashir respectively.
Previous to the collection beginning, Masood gave a heartfelt plea to Pakistan’s followers, acknowledging his workforce wanted to do higher and he ought to guide from the entrance.
He put these phrases into apply throughout the first match and his courageous spin gamble this time led Pakistan to their first house Check victory since beating South Africa in 2021.
His captaincy abilities actually got here into play throughout day 4 when Pakistan have been on the brink. He stored his religion in his spinners, Noman and Sajid, and in flip they rewarded him together with his first Check victory as skipper.
Kamran Ghulam – 8
When the information got here out that Babar Azam had been dropped from the workforce for the second Check in a radical shake-up, followers and pundits have been shocked.
The previous Check captain had been on a lean run of type which led to his exit and opened up an area for Kamran Ghulam, and the 29-year-old was not going to remain questioning, instantly staking his declare.
He scored a belligerent maiden Check century which contributed to a 3rd of Pakistan’s 366 within the first innings. He additionally grew to become the primary batter at No 4 to attain a Check ton on debut in opposition to England.
He posted 26 within the second innings however by then his ability had already been famous.
Saud Shakeel – 5
The left-handed batter shared a 37-run stand with Rizwan throughout the second outing, including impetus to the center order and breaking their curse of Pakistan faltering within the latter half of Check matches.
Nonetheless, his mixed rating of 35 throughout the 2 innings was the bottom amongst Pakistan’s center order.
Mohammad Rizwan – 6
Rizwan, recognized for his heavy hitting, didn’t go a milestone however his scores of 41 and 23 have been essential in Pakistan’s victory.
His glovework was glorious too as he stumped Crawley (3) and England captain Stokes (37) en path to Pakistan’s victory, whereas additionally taking a few catches.
Salman Ali Agha – 7
When Pakistan wanted a hero, the 30-year-old stepped as much as the problem.
He arrived on the crease late on day two with the hosts having a lead of below 100 and his beautiful 63 stretched it to 279, a determine England couldn’t sustain with.
Aamer Jamal – 5
The 28-year-old all-rounder was one in all two gamers who fell for only one in Pakistan’s second innings after he was bowled by Leach.
His first innings rating was significantly better, including 37 runs to Pakistan’s tally, however the right-arm fast was unable to supply Pakistan a lot within the bowling division, going for 39 runs for no reward.
Noman Ali – 10
The left-arm spinner completed with an 11-wicket haul throughout the 4 days, eight of which have been within the second innings as he punctured England’s batters, seeing them collapse to 88-6 earlier than they sunk additional.
All 20 wickets within the second Check went to the spinners, a stat that reveals simply how in another way the wicket carried out between the primary and second Check.
Sajid Khan – 9
Pakistan’s off-spinner additionally did plenty of the work within the spin unit, ending with figures of 9-104, and claimed the important thing wicket of Pope (22) together with his second ball of day 4.
Zahid Mahmood – 3
As Pakistan’s spinners stole the present, it compelled the seamers to take a again seat. The 36-year-old fast bowled six overs, conceding 27 runs, however had nothing to point out for it on the finish as he was unable to take a wicket.
He was introduced into the aspect to exchange Naseem, the reward of which was tough to see.
First Check: Multan – October 7-11 – England received by an innings and 47 runs
Second Check: Multan – October 15-19 – Pakistan received by 152 runs
Third Check: Rawalpindi – October 24-28
Watch the third and closing Check between Pakistan and England reside on Sky Sports activities Cricket and Predominant Occasion from 5.30am forward of the primary ball at 6am on Thursday October 24 as the perimeters head to Rawalpindi.