 "More ignominy for Pakistan cricket team as they lose Multan Test vs England despite scoring 500-plus runs")
Pakistan cricket witnessed another disastrous day in Tests on Friday as they lost to England by an innings and 47 runs in the first Test at Multan. This was Pakistan’s third consecutive Test match loss at home after they suffered a humiliating 2-0 series loss to Bangladesh last month. That was Pakistan’s first-ever Test series loss to the Tigers.
In the Multan Test, Pakistan scored 556 in the first innings as Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, and Agha Salman scored hundreds, but the falt track at the stadium came to bite them as England scored over 800 runs and Harry Brook scored a triple ton . The visitors bowled out Pakistan for just 220 in the second innings with Abrar Ahmed not batting due to illness.
This is the first time a team has lost a Test match by an innings despite scoring over 500 runs in the first innings.
More ignominy for Pak at home
The Multan match is also only the second Test ever to produce a result despite both teams scoring a 550-plus total in an innings. The first match also involved Pakistan when in 2022 at Rawalpindi, the hosts lost to England by 74 runs.
Overall, it was Pakistan’s sixth straight Test defeat which began in Australia late last year. All Test defeats have come under captain Shan Masood. They lost 3-0 in Australia, and 2-0 at home to Bangladesh before losing in Multan against England.
Pakistan are also winless at home in 11 Test matches. This unfortunate run began in the 2021-22 season when they lost a three-match series 1-0 to Australia. In 2022-23, England defeated them 3-0 in a three-match series. The two matches at home against New Zealand last season ended in a draw before Bangladesh defeated Pakistan in both matches of a series.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsPakistan’s longest winless streak at home:
11 - Mar 2022 - going on (7 lost, 4 draw)*
11 - Feb 1969 to Mar 1975 (1 lost, 10 draw)
8 - Mar 1959 - Oct 1964 (4 lost, 4 draw)
8 - Oct 1998 - Mar 2000 (4 lost, 4 draw)
Pakistan cricket team also extended their dubious record with their loss to England. They are the only Test team to suffer five defeats despite scoring 500-plus runs in the first innings of a Test match.
Most defeats after scoring 500-plus in 1st innings:
5 - Pakistan*
3 - Australia
2 - England
2 - New Zealand
2 - Bangladesh
Masood blames bowler after defeat
Pakistan captain Masood laid the blame on his bowlers after the defeat, saying that as a team they need to learn to take 20 wickets in an innings.
“We can learn from England as well. They’ve found a way to get those 20 wickets. Can’t win Test matches without picking up 20 wickets,” Masood said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
“As a team, yes we have that second innings of batting to improve, but we have to learn to pick up 20 wickets. That’s the challenge as a side going forward. We’re in the middle of the series, we’ve talked about squad mentality and consistency. Where I’d like the team to improve is - no matter how the pitch is, we have to find a way out. England showed that. We have to give huge credit to them.”
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