It’s all going downhill for Pakistan currently at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Piles of runs have been accumulated by the English batters especially, Joe Root and Harry Brook. Almost like an insult to the injury Pakistan is already suffering through. Blame it on Multan’s pitch or the frustrated Pakistan bowlers who could not extract so much as an ounce of assistance from their home turf, England have cashed the chance with both hands.
As if it was not enough, Pakistan’s usual third inning woes have come at them again, but this time a bit more harshly. Cherry on the top, Pakistan were forced to start the penultimate day without their main spinner, Abrar Ahmed.
The leg spinner complained of body aches and fever on the morning of the second last day and was allowed some time off, as Pakistan struggled to get the better of the English batters. However, by the time Pakistan batters came to bat, for however short time, Abrar was found to have been hospitalised in Multan for his illness. This means that Pakistan will be without one player when they will take the field on the final day. This also means that England’s chances of winning by an inning have been increased.
The young mystery spinner had a toiling day on the third day when English batters mercilessly took him to the cleaners. On the pitch that refused to deteriorate even a bit, Abrar bowled 31 overs and leaked just three shy of a hundred and fifty runs. His final figure stayed at a haunting 0 for 174, making this Test match a stuff for nightmares for him.
It is quite interesting (and more damning for Abrar himself) to note that Abrar took eleven wickets the last time Pakistan played at Multan Cricket Stadium, bamboozling the likes of Ben Stokes. This time, though, he looked timid in front of the English batters.
From what we know so far, it is only a case of fever and body ache and Abrar might be good as new for the next Test game. Despite that he must be more worried about what the pitch will offer him in the next game, which is scheduled to be played at the same venue. Besides Abrar, Pakistan don’t have a specialist spinner as the management released Zahid Mehmood And Noman Ali, the two spin options, earlier from the squad.
Day four ended with Pakistan deep in a quagmire with scoreboard reading 152/6. Saud Shakeel and Aamer Jamal were trying to sew a partnership to save Pakistan from a disgraceful defeat. Being the last proper batting pair, not a lot can be expected of them. That too when the English bowlers are spitting fire ruthlessly.
Defeat in this Test will kill any chances of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final, that Pakistan had. Currently, the Shan Masood-led team occupies the second-lowest spot in the WTC table. Pakistan have yet to play two more Test series in this WTC cycle after the conclusion of the red-ball tour against England. However, this series will be the final nail in the coffin for Pakistan, if the team fails to turn the things around.
