Pope credits England's fitness level behind pulling off Multan Test win

At the start of Day 4, a draw was the most probable result in the Multan Test between Pakistan and England. However, barely within four sessions of play, the match is wrapped up with England clinching an innings victory.

Joe Root and Harry Brook’s record partnership was followed by another capitulation of Pakistan batting in the third innings of the Test match. Pakistan, in their second innings, lasted for only 54.4 overs and failed to overcome the deficit. Thus, they have now become the first team ever to lose a Test by an innings after scoring over 500 runs in the first innings. 

To make it worse, this is their sixth Test defeat in a row under the new captain Shan Masood and the fourth successive defeat at home against England. Pakistan have not won a Test match at home since February 2021. 

Masood reckoned the result was down to Pakistan’s shoddy batting but also mentioned that the bowlers didn’t up the batters’ first innings effort. 

"We've spoken about the third innings, but it's a team game, when you put 550 on the board it's important to back it up with 10 wickets, and that's what we didn't do,” he said in the post-match presentation. 

“That's the key, how can the batting and bowling in first innings contribute to a lead. The onus is to set the game up well and finish it off. We should learn from England, they found ways to take 20 wickets. That's the challenge the side has going forward. We're in the middle of the series, we've talked about a squad mentality. Test cricket is the ultimate format, the best teams find a way. Scoring runs and taking wickets are the non-negotiables,” the Pakistan skipper made his point. 

Ollie Pope, the England skipper, meanwhile, lauded his bowlers and Root and Brook's gigantic batting efforts, also acknowledging their fitness level. 

"The fitness the bowlers showed, and Brook and Root, credit to them for the skills and determination to put the team in a winning position,” he said.

“When you come out to bat again, and you're 260 runs behind and the pitch is three days older, it's never easy. Got the odd ball to reverse and spin. Even if they'd made 400 we've have backed ourselves for a small chase. 

“Brydon on debut was awesome, charged in with a lot of heart, and the way Jack Leach bowled, coming back into the side, fits right in and taken crucial wickets,” Pope added further, crediting the debutant Brydon Carse and the comeback man, Leach. 

Brook was adjudged the Player of the Match for his record-breaking triple hundred. 

“We were just batting for as long as possible, set the plan out at lunch. Enjoy batting, build a partnership, rotate the strike, take fluid on board. Tough, but a good surface to cash in on. Hopefully, many more to come,” the 25-year-old said. 

If you’ve not downloaded the Cricket.com app yet, you’re missing out on our content — big time. Download the App here.