Pakistan made an unfortunate piece of history in the first Test against England in Multan, becoming the first team ever to lose a Test by an innings after scoring over 500 runs in the first innings. Despite posting a commanding 556 after opting to bat, Pakistan crumbled, losing by an innings and 47 runs on Friday, October 11.
England responded with a monumental 823 runs, the fourth-highest total in Test history. A record-breaking 454-run partnership between Joe Root and Harry Brook was the highlight of England’s innings. Pakistan’s bowlers failed to make any impact, leading to their sixth consecutive Test loss under captain Shan Masood.
Pakistan’s struggles began with a 0-3 series loss to Australia away from home, followed by a shocking 0-2 defeat at home against Bangladesh, marking Pakistan’s first-ever Test loss to the Tigers. Now, with the defeat to England, Pakistan have fallen 0-1 in the ongoing three-match series and remain winless at home since 2022, suffering losses to England, Australia, and Bangladesh.
Masood Frustrated as Bowlers Fail to Back Up 550-Run Effort
After the match, Shan Masood expressed frustration with his team’s inability to take wickets. He emphasized that, despite scoring over 550 runs, the bowlers failed to back it up, while England managed to claim 20 wickets. Masood admitted that while conditions might not have been easy, they were no excuse, pointing out that England still managed to adapt and succeed.
“When you post 550 runs, it’s crucial to back it up by taking 10 wickets. We saw how England did that. We need to find a way. That’s the challenge we face moving forward,” Masood said.
He added, “We’ve discussed team mentality and consistency. Whether conditions favor us or not, performance is a non-negotiable in Test cricket. We love this game, and this hurts us as much as it hurts the nation.”
The second Test in the series is scheduled to begin on October 15 at the same venue.
