Pakistan’s cricket team suffered a crushing defeat in Multan on Friday, falling to England by an innings and 47 runs. This loss marked Pakistan’s 10th straight defeat in Test cricket, a new low in their recent dismal run, as they continue to struggle at home.
Despite posting an impressive 556 in their first innings, Pakistan’s challenge was undone by England’s mammoth total of 823/7 declared, which proved impossible. England’s innings, built around a monumental 317 from Harry Brook, set the stage for a commanding win. In their second innings, Pakistan was bowled out for just 220 in the morning session of Day 5, with only Aamer Jamal (55) and Salman Agha (63) offering some resistance.
Record-breaking defeat for Pakistan
The loss has not only added to Pakistan’s growing list of defeats but also resulted in several unwanted records:
1. No Test Wins in Four Years at Home: Pakistan’s last Test win at home dates back nearly four years, a staggering 1,331 days ago, making this their longest winless streak on home soil in Test cricket.
2. Lowest Win Percentage in the World Test Championship: The loss leaves Pakistan at the bottom of the current World Test Championship (WTC) points table, with a dismal 0% win rate in Tests since 2022.
3. First Team to Lose After Scoring 500+ in the First Innings: Pakistan became the first team in history to lose a Test after scoring over 500 runs in the first innings. Their defeat after posting 556 in the first innings is a new low in Test cricket history.
4. Most Losses After Scoring 500 Runs: Pakistan has now lost five Tests in which they have scored 500 or more runs, the most by any team in the history of Test cricket.
5. Record-Breaking Overs Without a Maiden: In a further testament to their struggles, Pakistan bowled 150 overs in the match, registering just one maiden, breaking South Africa’s 1939 record for the most overs bowled without a maiden.
6. Captain’s Troubles: Shan Masood, who captains the side, became the first Pakistan captain to lose six consecutive Test matches. His leadership has come under intense scrutiny following the team’s prolonged slump.
Masood’s Response
Following the heavy defeat, Shan Masood expressed disappointment but remained steadfast in his assessment of the match. “It is disappointing to lose again. England found a way to win the match; they created their window of opportunity,” Masood said after the match. He acknowledged the harsh reality of Test cricket, where quality sides like England always find a way to win, even when challenged.
Masood explained that Pakistan had expected the pitch in Multan to deteriorate by the third day, which led them to prolong their innings. However, he admitted that Pakistan’s bowling performance was lacking, with the team failing to take 20 wickets in recent times—a key factor in their ongoing losing streak. “At the end of the day, you have to find ways to take 20 wickets, and we are not doing that in recent times,” he said.
Looking Ahead
With Pakistan’s Test team in free fall, questions are now being raised about the future of the coaching staff and the team management. The team faces an uphill battle as they look to bounce back from this record-breaking defeat and reestablish themselves in international cricket.
For now, Pakistan’s team, which once enjoyed great promise, is mired in a period of unprecedented failure, with no immediate solution in sight. With several key matches ahead in the World Test Championship, the pressure will mount on Shan Masood and his squad to find a way out of this spiraling crisis.
