NEW DELHI: England’s steady march in the second Test against Pakistan was halted abruptly by Sajid Khan, whose spell of sharp off-spin triggered a rapid batting collapse.
After being well-placed at 211/2, England lost four wickets for just 14 runs, finding themselves reeling at 225/6 in the final session of Day 2 at Multan.
Sajid’s brilliant bowling performance ensured Pakistan seized control at a crucial phase, leaving England trailing by 127 runs.
The collapse began with the dismissal of England’s talisman Joe Root, who had looked comfortable until Sajid deceived him with a well-flighted delivery.
On the third ball of the 42nd over, Root attempted a sweep but only managed an inside edge onto his boot, sending the ball rolling into the stumps. His dismissal at 211/3 opened the floodgates.
Sajid’s next victim was Ben Duckett, who had earlier anchored the innings with a fluent 114. Duckett had survived multiple close calls, with Sajid repeatedly beating his bat.
Finally, an aggressive drive off a full-length delivery found a thick outside edge, and Agha Salman at first slip made no mistake.
With Duckett’s departure, England slumped to 224/4, and Sajid celebrated with his signature thigh-slap gesture.
In Sajid’s very next over, Harry Brook was bowled trying to punch a spinning delivery off the back foot.
Brook misjudged the sharp turn, and the ball crashed through the gap between bat and pad, handing Sajid his fourth wicket of the innings.
England, suddenly in trouble, stood at 225/5 with Brook gone for just nine.
Noman Ali then compounded England’s woes by dismissing captain Ben Stokes for a mere 1. Stokes failed to adjust to Noman’s turn, edging a defensive push onto his pad, and Abdullah Shafique at short leg completed an outstanding diving catch.
From a position of strength at 211/2, England were now in deep trouble at 225/6, leaving Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse to steady the ship before stumps.
However, the pair managed to stabilize the innings and guided England to 239/6 by the end of the day.
Sajid Khan finished the day with figures of 4/86, his devastating spell turning the match on its head.
With Pakistan’s bowlers firing on all cylinders and England trailing by 127 runs, Day 3 promises to be a pivotal chapter in this thrilling Test series at Multan.
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