As the Multan Test between Pakistan and England moves towards a conclusion, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing serious allegations of promoting ball tampering in domestic cricket. Pakistan’s bowlers struggled to make an impact against England, who piled up a massive 823 runs in their first innings. Amid the defeat, a Pakistani journalist has raised questions over the PCB’s domestic cricket structure, claiming it teaches young bowlers to tamper with the ball, which is illegal under ICC rules.
Pakistan’s Bowling Struggles Highlighted in Multan
The Multan Test has been tough for Pakistan’s bowling attack. England’s batsmen completely dominated, batting for over 150 overs and amassing a record 823 runs. None of Pakistan’s star bowlers, including Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi, could find the swing they are known for. Both the new and old balls failed to work for them, and they looked ineffective against the English batsmen.
Naseem Shah, known for his ability to swing both the new and old ball, appeared ineffective. His struggles have sparked debate, with claims suggesting that bowlers like him have become reliant on ball tampering in domestic cricket, making it difficult for them to perform without such tactics at the international level.
Allegations of Ball Tampering in Domestic Cricket
A Pakistani journalist has made bold claims that the PCB’s domestic cricket system promotes ball tampering. According to the journalist, several bowlers, including Naseem Shah, have developed a habit of tampering with the ball during domestic matches, which is against ICC regulations. This, he alleges, is not only overlooked but also encouraged by coaching staff, match officials, and senior players in the domestic circuit. The journalist suggests that because bowlers cannot tamper with the ball in international matches, they struggle to get reverse swing, impacting their performance significantly.
Multan Test: Pakistan’s Bowlers Concede Heavy Runs
Pakistan’s bowlers were hammered by England’s batsmen in the first innings of the Multan Test. Six of Pakistan’s seven bowlers conceded over 100 runs, with captain Shan Masood using every available option but to no avail. Naseem Shah was one of the most expensive bowlers, giving away 157 runs in 31 overs with an economy rate above 5. Shaheen Afridi, the leader of Pakistan’s pace attack, managed only one wicket while conceding 120 runs in 26 overs. Aamir Jamal also had a rough outing, giving away 126 runs in 24 overs.
Flat Pitch in Multan Under Scrutiny
There are also claims that the PCB deliberately prepared a flat pitch in Multan to help Pakistan avoid defeat. While the pitch initially seemed to favor Pakistan’s batsmen, with three of them scoring centuries, the strategy appears to have backfired. England, led by massive scores from Joe Root (262) and Harry Brook (317), took full advantage of the conditions and amassed 823 runs.
Pakistan, now under pressure, have lost 6 wickets for just 152 runs in their second innings. The team is staring down the barrel of a significant defeat, one that could make history. If Pakistan loses, it will be the first time in 147 years that a team has lost a Test match after scoring over 550 runs in the first innings.
A Unique Defeat on the Horizon
Pakistan’s strategy of preparing a flat pitch and relying on a big first-innings total may lead to an unusual defeat. After captain Shan Masood won the toss and chose to bat, Pakistan posted an impressive 556 runs. However, England’s reply of 823 runs has put Pakistan on the back foot. With six wickets down for just 152 runs in their second innings, Pakistan is on the verge of a record-breaking loss. If they lose, it will be the first time a team has suffered defeat despite scoring more than 550 runs in the first innings of a Test match.
