England moved a big step closer to completing a series victory over Pakistan after building a commanding lead on day two of the second Test in Multan.
Jack Leach (4-98) claimed three wickets early on Saturday morning, while both Joe Root and Mark Wood took two apiece, as Pakistan slumped from 142-2 to 202 all out inside the opening session.
Babar Azam (75) and Saud Shakeel (63) offered the main resistance to the English attack, who built a 79-run first-innings advantage, while half-centuries from Ben Duckett (79) and Harry Brook (74 not out) helped pull the visitors further ahead.
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It’s a debut Abrar Ahmed will never forget after he claimed 10 match wickets against England
Abrar Ahmed (3-81) became just the second Pakistan player in history to claim 10 wickets on his Test debut, including Root in both innings, although England closed on 202-5 to increase their lead to 281 runs.
How England took control in Multan
Resuming on 107-2 and trailing by 174 runs, Pakistan added 35 to their overnight total before captain Azam was bowled through the gate by a brilliant Ollie Robinson delivery.
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Ollie Robinson is brought into the attack and is rewarded with the wicket of Pakistan captain Babar Azam
Shakeel cautiously passed his half-century but was removed on 63 when a superb diving catch from James Anderson brought Leach’s 100th Test wicket, while Mohammad Rizwan took 28 deliveries to get off the mark as England’s bowlers impressed.
Rizwan was bowled for 10 by a turning delivery from Leach, who claimed his fourth wicket in his next over when Mohammad Nawaz chipped to Robinson at mid-off, then Root claimed two wickets in the space of five balls to continue Pakistan’s collapse.
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Joe Root takes two wickets in the over as Pakistan wickets tumble on the second day of the second Test
Wood trapped Zahid Mahmood lbw without scoring, leaving Pakistan 179-9, with Faheem Ashraf (22) helping the hosts pass 200 before picking out Duckett at deep square leg to end the innings before lunch.
England quickly lost Zak Crawley (three) when he was run out attempting a risky single towards mid-on by Abrar, who bowled Will Jacks (four) – promoted to bat at three instead of Ollie Pope – to leave the tourists 25-2.
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Abrar Ahmed’s underarm throw hits the stumps with Zak Crawley short of his ground
Duckett survived a huge lbw appeal via umpire’s call when attempting to reverse sweep Abrar when on 35, with the opener going on to make his second half-century of the Test and put on a 54-run stand with Root for the third wicket.
Root (21) was caught by a stunning one-handed catch by Abdullah Shafique at short leg off just before the interval, while Azam failed to convert a simple catch at mid-wicket to drop Duckett on 69.
Abrar claimed his 10th wicket of the match when he bowled Duckett for 79, while a mix-up between Brook and Pope saw the latter run out by Mohammad Nawaz for just four and give Pakistan their fifth wicket.
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Miscommunication between Ollie Pope and Harry Brook sees the man from Surrey walk!
Brook brought up his half-century from 74 deliveries and ended the day unbeaten on 74, with Stokes 16 not out as England extended their lead to 281 runs when bad light brought an early finish for the second successive day.
England will resume day three on 202-5 and are in a prime position to complete a series victory, having won the opening Test by 74 runs in Rawalpindi last week, while Pakistan will be searching for quick wickets to keep their hopes alive.
Can England complete a series victory in Pakistan? Watch day three live on Sunday from 4.45am on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event.
