England Cricket Team Vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard

There were multiple moments in this dramatic Test match which changed its direction, such as Babar Azam’s elegant batting and Shaheen Afridi’s game-altering spells from Shaheen Afridi.

But England’s seamers seized their opportunity on an otherwise advantageous surface for batsmanship to become effective bowling threats on Day 4.

England Cricket Team Vs Pakistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard

1. Dawid Malan’s century

Following last week’s nine-wicket defeat against New Zealand, England fans had become anxious that their title defence may be at stake. Dawid Malan‘s 140 run performance laid the groundwork for an important 137 run victory against Bangladesh that kept England’s hopes alive.

Malan used his 13 years at Middlesex to brilliantly time each ball on a slow pitch and hit cover drives and punches through point to reach 1000 in ODIs in just 21 innings, becoming England’s fastest batsman to do so.

Malan may not have exhibited the chest-thumping aggression of Jason Roy or the once-in-a-generation elegance of Jonny Bairstow, yet his unassuming century in an important World Cup game against Pakistan proved an impressive return to form for Yorkshire batsman Malan.

2. Babar Azam’s 80

As England dominated throughout Day Four and looked set for a victory that seemed imminent, Aamer Jamal and Salman Agha’s unyielding partnership extended it into Day Five and denied them an easy clean sweep win.

Pakistan have relied on Aamer and Salman’s batting to remain in contention after centuries from Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique put them in control on day 2. However, with spinner Jack Leach coming into play – taking four wickets with ease through their lower order – their stubborn resistance finally crumbled under pressure from Leach who made short work of them all with four wickets taken off him on day four alone.

3. Shaheen Afridi’s three-wicket haul

England’s batsmen struggled against Pakistan’s spinners despite Mohammad Rizwan’s valiant efforts, leaving only spinners to cause mayhem and take control of proceedings.

Jack Leach made an immediate impactful contribution, dismissing Rassie van der Dussen for an outstanding golden duck with an effective wicket-taking delivery.

At one stage in the match, he managed to trap Nqabayomzi Peter in front of the stumps for three wickets in T20I cricket; also sending back David Miller, Roston Chase and Jermaine Blackwood back.

4. Shadab Khan’s sharp reflexes

England batsmen struggled on an uninspiring pitch, with Ben Stokes not alone failing to put any pressure on Pakistan’s bowlers during his century.

On the other end, Aamer Jamal and Salman Agha proved resilient against English bowlers; their partnership of 109 runs enabled them to defy them for much of Day 1.

As the match wore on, Pakistan batsmen became fatigued while the wicket began to show signs of wear and tear – this gave Woakes, Carse and Atkinson an opportunity they quickly grasped with both hands.

5. Adil Rashid’s two wickets

After several batting collapses, England’s bowlers finally gained the upper hand on day four. On a pitch that once offered attractive conditions for batsmen, Woakes, Carse and Atkinson struck with devastating efficiency to reduce Pakistan’s top and middle order to nothingness.

Yorkshire’s premier wrist-spinner provided the breakthrough, trapping Alviro Petersen leg before wicket and Arul Suppiah in front of slip. Following lunch break, Yorkshire’s premier wrist-spinner took another wicket when Naseem Shah misjudged Jack Leach’s full ball outside off, which gripped and turned sharply away to take an edge around the stumps before looping over and taking its victim out LBW.

6. Mohammad Rizwan’s 50

After two days on an almost lifeless pitch that offered bowlers little assistance, England resumed their batting with Joe Root and Harry Brook in the middle. Together they established an incredible partnership, breaking numerous records along the way and setting themselves in an advantageous position for victory.

But as day four progressed, the pitch began to show signs of wear. Cracks appeared and introduced some unpredictability onto what had previously been an ideal batting surface. Pope then turned to spinner Jack Leach – his decision paid dividends as he demolished Pakistan’s lower order with surgical precision.

7. Jack Leach’s four-wicket haul

Jack Leach was an unsung hero of England’s victory against Pakistan at Multan. The Somerset left-armer took four wickets on day five to help their tourists seize an early advantage in the three-match series.

In England’s opening innings, he led them to 823/7 declared. That score became fourth-highest ever scored in Test history and proved too difficult for Pakistan to overpower on a flat pitch.

Salman Agha and Sajid had just put Pakistan back into contention with their second innings partnership of 107 runs when Leach struck again – trapping Agha in front of his crease before ending proceedings with another wicket for Leach to claim.