How we rated England’s players after their win over Pakistan by an innings and 47 runs in Multan…
Zach Crowley – 7 out of 10
The England opener was playing in his first Test since breaking his finger in the summer and was in fine touch with 78 to set a healthy platform for England’s first innings total of 823-7.
The Kent batsman scored 13 boundaries and shared a 109-run partnership with Joe Root, while taking the crucial catch that saw Pakistan captain Shan Masood dismissed for just 10 runs in the second innings.
Ben Duckett – 7:00 p.m
When the Nottinghamshire player dislocated this thumb on the second day, the level of concern for England showed just how important a player he is.
Duckett hit a brilliant 84, sweeping and wrapping the Pakistani bowlers all over the ground, hitting 11 boundaries before being trapped by Aamer Jamal.
He was also versatile in the field despite his injury, taking two catches in the match as Pakistan were bowled out for 556 and 220 in the first and second innings respectively.
Ollie Pope (c) – 5
England’s stand-in captain was dismissed for a duck by Naseem Shah and was the only top-order batsman not to reach double figures after failing to capitalize on an extremely flat Multan wicket.
However, the 26-year-old captain led England brilliantly in the punishing heat, ensuring the bowlers were not overwhelmed. In the morning session on the fifth day, Pope continued to use the offensive fields to wrap up the victory in an hour and a half.
Joe Root – 10:00 a.m
The Yorkshire hurler created history on day three by becoming England’s leading Test run-scorer, overtaking Sir Alastair Cook.
Root (262) went on to complete his 35th career Test century later in the day and shared a stunning 454-run partnership with Harry Brooke, the highest ever in Test cricket.
He scored a stunning double century earlier when he trapped Pakistan off-spinner Salman Ali Agha, but not before collecting 17 boundaries.
Harry Brooke – 10:00 a.m
Brook has often been described as a “natural baseball player,” and his sublime .317 was the epitome of that.
The 25-year-old has recorded the best figures of his career, now amassing more Test runs in Pakistan than in England as he has been involved in almost 40 per cent of England’s 823.
It was an extraordinary performance as he hit England’s first hat-trick since 1990, and only his sixth ever, from 322 balls.
His partnership with Yorkshireman Root broke Peter May and Colin Cowdrey’s record of 411, which had stood since 1957.
Jamie Smith (Saturday) – 7
The English wicketkeeper made 31 in his traditional attacking style, hitting two boundaries and a six before claiming Naseem’s second scalp.
Smith’s gloves have been brilliant and he continues to impress the England selectors from behind the stumps.
He took three catches and bowled Nasim (6) off Jack Leach (4-30) to seal England’s victory on day five.
Chris Woakes – 6:00 p.m
Although Woakes’ overseas record is not great, he was supported by Test captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum.
“Voakes has never played six back-to-back Test matches before. He has a great record at home. His away record is what it is,” McCullum said. Sky Sports Cricket.
“But with the skills he has with the new ball, we feel where he is in his career, he can be successful in this part of the world.
“People mature at different times and what he’s going for, we see him as an important player.”
As a senior seamer, he was more used to the brutal nature of Test cricket, with Brydon Carrs and Gus Atkinson as examples.
He finished with figures of 2-110 in the first Test, while he also scored 17 before skipper Pope declared on the fourth day.
Brydon Carrs – 7 p.m
The Durham seamer impressed during England’s white-ball series against Australia last month to earn his first Test call-up.
His inclusion comes on the heels of an elbow injury that ruled England’s fastest bowler Mark Wood out for the rest of the year.
Karsi took two wickets in Pakistan’s first innings, removing Naseem (33) and Aamer (7) trapped leg before. He also took two wickets in the second innings, including the scalp of Pakistan’s Muhammad Rizwan (10).
Gus Atkinson – 7
Ever since Atkinson’s dream debut at Lord’s against the West Indies this summer, where he took a seven-wicket haul, Surrey’s pace has continued to shine.
On a lifeless Multan wicket that offered no lateral movement on the first four days and a turn on the fifth day, Atkinson finished with four wickets to his name.
He bowled a total of 39 overs, 7 of which were maidens, and was England’s second innings average at 3.28.
Jack Leach – 8
England’s senior spinner produced a sensational four-wicket haul in the second innings to lead England to victory and finished the first Test with seven wickets, more than any other bowler.
He dismissed Pakistan centurion Masood (151) in the first innings with a brilliant catch and bowl before playing on the final morning and clearing the hosts’ tail.
Shoaib Bashir – 6:00
The Somerset spinner, who starred in India earlier this year and spent time in his county learning from Leach, found little reward on a dull Multan wicket, claiming one scalp in the Test.
He also dropped Aamer for eight in the late hours of the fourth day.
As mentioned in the comment Sky Sports’ Nasser Hussain. Bashir’s tour is more of an experience than anything else as McCullum prepares to lead him through The Ashes next year.
First test. Multan – England won by an innings and 47 runs
Second test. Multan – October 15-19
Third test. Rawalpindi – October 24-28
From each meeting 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup is also live Sky Sports 3-20 October with Australia aiming for a third straight title and seventh overall, and England looking to win for the first time since the inaugural game in 2009.
Watch the first day of the second Test between Pakistan and England in Multan live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event from 5.30am on Tuesday, with the match starting at 6am. Stream NOW!
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