England left scrambling as Pakistan move into strong position to win second Test

England are left with an uphill task to win the second Test against Pakistan after losing two wickets during the early stages of their run chase in Multan.

Pakistan have laid the foundations to defeat England in the second Test, leaving the tourists on 36-2 at stumps on day three in Multan.

When England were 211-2 in reply to Pakistan’s first innings total of 366 on Wednesday, Ben Stokes‘ side appeared to be in control.

However, fast-track to just over 24 hours later and England are scrambling to stop Pakistan from levelling the series at one victory apiece, still requiring 261 runs with eight wickets left.

With no sign of bad weather, the game will reach a conclusion on Friday with England needing to reassess how they go about their run chase on a heavily-turning pitch.

Big wicket for Jack Leach and England’s spinners are dominating out in Multan! ðŸâ€Â¥ pic.twitter.com/b3YAddER0N

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 17, 2024

Leach impresses with bat and ball

Of England’s final seven batsman, it was Jack Leach who would top-score with 25, adding potentially-vital runs in a 29-run last-wicket partnership with Shoaib Bashir to take the visitors to 291.

The pair were equally impressive with the ball, albeit assisted by the pitch, as wickets fell at regular intervals with Pakistan being reduced to 77-4.

When that became 114-5, England were in the ascendancy, but a magnificent 63 from 89 deliveries from Salman Agha turned the tide in Pakistan’s favour.

With Sajid Khan also adding 22 at the bottom of the order, Pakistan would make a credible 221, setting England a target of 297 at a time when they would have been encouraged by Leach and Bashir’s combined figures being 7-133.

Ben Duckett goes for a duck to the sweep shot that served him so well in the first innings! 🦆 pic.twitter.com/tTzILQba3s

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) October 17, 2024

Pakistan seize advantage

Although the game was finely in the balance, spin bowler Sajid put Pakistan firmly in control by taking the wicket of Ben Duckett (0) with the third ball of their chase.

Zak Crawley followed shortly for three, being stumped off the bowling of Noman Ali, and it left Ollie Pope and Joe Root needing to survive the final 30 minutes to give England a realistic chance of victory.

The experienced pair did just that, adding 25 runs from the remaining 7.4 overs to take England to 36-2, with Pope unbeaten on 21 and Root having made 12.

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