How to lose a Test after scoring 556 - Pakistan style

Pakistan lost a Test against England after scoring 556 (Image X/@englandcricket)

It’s rare for a team to post a first-innings total in excess of 550 and still end up losing a Test match. In fact, this has happened only six times, the most recent being in Multan, where Pakistan lost despite posting 556 in their first innings. This was largely due to a stellar batting performance from Harry Brook and Joe Root, who guided England to the fourth-highest total in Test cricket-823 in their first innings. England took a lead of 267 before Pakistan collapsed in their second innings, losing the first Test of the three-match series by an innings and 47 runs.

Before the start of the Test, there was speculation about how Pakistan would approach the game, especially with the bat, given their underwhelming performance against Bangladesh in the previous home series. Batting first allowed them to take full advantage of the flat conditions and post a massive total of 556, with Shan Masood leading the way with 151 and Agha Salman and Abdullah Shafique scoring 104* and 102 respectively. England’s bowlers, inexperienced on flat tracks, struggled, making it easier for the home batters.

If the first innings was entertaining, what followed was a spectacle. The English batsmen feasted on the Pakistani bowlers. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett both hit half-centuries, but the bulk of the scoring came from Yorkshire duo Brook and Root. They were involved in a record-breaking fourth-wicket partnership of 454-the highest for any wicket against Pakistan-with Brook becoming the second-fastest triple centurion after Virender Sehwag. Run-machine Joe Root, meanwhile, notched up his sixth double century and registered his highest Test score. Although both batsmen looked flawless for most of their innings, they had their share of luck. Root was dropped on 186 by Babar Azam at mid-on, and Brook survived when the bails didn’t dislodge after the ball hit the stumps when he was on 75.

In the scorching Multan heat, Pakistan’s bowlers toiled for 150 overs. What would have hurt them most was the pace at which the runs came, with England scoring at 5.49 runs per over. The pitch offered little assistance, and although there was some reverse swing available, Pakistan's bowlers failed to capitalise on the old ball.

England started the final session of Day 4 in complete control, holding a substantial lead. Pakistan faced the daunting task of batting through five sessions to avoid defeat, much like their effort in the first innings when they amassed 556 runs. However, this time they were under the pressure of being behind in the game, and that pressure proved their undoing. Abdullah Shafique's dismissal on the first ball of the innings set the tone, and with Babar Azam continuing his poor form—having not scored a Test half-century since England's last tour two years ago—Pakistan's hopes of avoiding another home defeat were slim. Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, and Brydon Carse ran in hard, bent their backs, and claimed five of the six wickets to fall, including those of Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan.

Just as the pacers were wreaking havoc, Jack Leach was brought into the attack and claimed vice-captain Saud Shakeel's wicket in his first over, further diminishing Pakistan’s chances.

Agha Salman and Aamer Jamal put up some resistance with a century partnership, but they couldn’t prevent the inevitable as Jack Leach tore through the tail to secure victory for his team on day 5. The pitch played a part, with cracks causing uneven bounce and spin, unsettling the batters. But more than the conditions, it was England's disciplined and relentless bowling that dismantled Pakistan’s lineup, leaving them mentally and physically overwhelmed.

Pakistan’s dismal run in Test cricket continues, marking their sixth consecutive defeat in the format and their seventh loss at home in the last nine matches. Just when it seems like Pakistan cricket has reached rock bottom, they manage to sink even further-a recurring theme in their recent struggles.