England make progress but defiant Pakistan reach 358-8 at lunch

On Day 2 of the second Test between Pakistan and England in Multan, Pakistan continued their innings, with Kamran Ghulam’s century on debut leading the way. Aamer Jamal played a crucial role as well, staying unbeaten on 37 and helping Pakistan reach 358 for eight by lunch.

Noman Ali also contributed with 29 runs, forming a 49-run partnership with Jamal. The day started with Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Agha at 37 and five, respectively, with Pakistan’s score at 259 for five. However, Rizwan was soon dismissed for 41 by Brydon Carse, with Jamie Smith taking a sharp catch behind the stumps.

Salman Agha added 31 but couldn’t build a bigger score, falling to a delivery from Matthew Potts that bounced unexpectedly, again caught by Smith. Jack Leach dismissed Sajid Khan for just two, but Jamal remained firm, frustrating the English bowlers despite needing medical attention during his innings.

Jamal, Pakistan’s only specialist fast bowler in this spin-heavy lineup, is vital for their chances of leveling the series. Earlier, Kamran Ghulam had shone on his debut, scoring a remarkable 118 after replacing an out-of-form Babar Azam. Ghulam’s innings steadied Pakistan, who had struggled at 19-2 after Jack Leach took two early wickets.

Ghulam first built a 149-run stand with Saim Ayub, who made a personal best of 77, and later a 65-run partnership with Rizwan. He reached his century with a boundary off Joe Root, becoming the 12th Pakistani to score a hundred on Test debut. His knock, which lasted 323 minutes, featured 11 fours and a six before he was bowled by Shoaib Bashir just before the close of play.

Ghulam expressed his happiness, saying it was a reward for his patience, and acknowledged a lucky moment when Ben Duckett dropped a difficult catch when he was on 79.

England tried different fielding tactics after lunch, placing a short mid-off and two mid-wicket fielders, but the pitch offered little help for the spinners. Captain Ben Stokes bowled five overs without showing signs of the hamstring injury that kept him out of the first Test.

Matthew Potts ended Ayub’s innings when he hit a simple catch to Stokes at short mid-off, while Carse dismissed Saud Shakeel for four. Leach took two wickets, while Bashir, Carse, and Potts each claimed one.

Earlier in the match, Abdullah Shafique was bowled by Leach for seven, and skipper Shan Masood was caught for just three by Zak Crawley at short mid-wicket.

England leads the three-match series 1-0.

Pakistan’s XI: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Zahid Mehmood

England’s XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wk), Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir