Pakistan vs England, 2nd Test: Abrar's seven-fer headlines Day 1
An extraordinary seven-wicket haul by debutant Abrar Ahmed put Pakistan in the driving seat against England on Day 1 of the 2nd Test at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Leg-spinner Ahmed ran riot as England got bowled out for 281 after electing to bat. His compatriot Zahid Mahmood took the rest of the three wickets for Pakistan. England's Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope slammed half-centuries.
How did Day 1 pan out?
England managed 281/10 in 51.4 overs after Ben Stokes elected to bat. Ahmed, who made his Test debut, took each of England's five wickets in the first session. He dismissed Stokes and Will Jacks after the break. England continued with their attack approach, with Duckett and Pope hammering quickfire fifties. Mark Wood returned unbeaten on 36. Pakistan finished on 107/2 at stumps.
13th Pakistani bowler with this feat
Ahmed has become just the 13th Pakistani bowler to have registered a . As stated, the leg-spinner took each of England's five wickets before the lunch break. England compiled 180/5 going into lunch.
Ahmed outfoxes England batters on debut
Ahmed took his maiden wicket on the fifth delivery in Tests. He knocked over opener Zak Crawley with a ripper. Ten overs later, Ahmed removed Ben Duckett, trapping him in front. Ahmed outfoxed even England's greatest player of spin, Joe Root. Ollie Pope, who looked dangerous also fell to the Pakistan leg-spinner four overs later. Ahmed got rid of Harry Brook just before lunch.
Another feat for Ahmed
According to ESPNcricinfo, Ahmed has become the first player since Alf Valentine (1950) to have taken a five-wicket haul on debut in the opening session of a men's Test. Charlie Turner (1887) and Fred Martin (1890) are the others.
Another fifty for Duckett
England opener Duckett has backed his hundred in the opening Test against Pakistan with a fiery half-century. The southpaw scored 63 off just 49 deliveries, a knock laced with nine boundaries and a maximum. It was Duckett's second fifty in the format. He seems to be emerging as a vital cog of England's newly-evolved aggressive Test batting line-up.
Pope clocks his 10th Test fifty
After scoring a ton in the opening Test against Pakistan, Pope managed a fine fifty in the second game. He brought up his 10th half-century in the format and ended up scoring 60 off 61 deliveries. His knock was laced with five boundaries. He joined forces with Duckett and the duo added 79 runs for the second wicket in no time.
A look at other notable numbers
England have become the first-ever men's side to play 2,000 international matches. The Three Lions have played 1,057 Tests, 773 ODIs, and 170 T20Is so far. England won 864 of their first 1,999 international matches to date. Pakistan spinners bowled 41.4 overs, the fewest by spinners to take all 10 opposition wickets in the first innings of a Test.
