Pakistan suffered an embarrassing defeat at home during the Multan Test against England, raising serious questions about the team’s strategy and readiness. Despite scoring an impressive 556 runs in the first innings, Pakistan still managed to lose by an innings and 47 runs. This defeat marked their 11th consecutive Test match without a win on home soil, stretching over three and a half years. Let’s dive into the five key reasons behind this shocking result.
1. Pakistan’s Flat Pitch Strategy Backfired
Pakistan’s strategy going into the Multan Test was simple—prepare a flat pitch, score big, and aim for a draw. The hope was that by producing a lifeless surface, they could at least avoid defeat. Unfortunately, England was quick to figure out Pakistan’s plan and completely dismantled it. The English team took an aggressive approach, treating the Test like an ODI match. They batted at a staggering run rate of over 5 runs per over, amassing 823 runs in their first innings.
Pakistan was simply not prepared for England’s counterattack, and the defensive strategy fell apart quickly. The lesson here: playing for a draw from the outset can backfire when faced with an aggressive opponent who seizes every opportunity to attack.
2. England’s Unexpected Counterattack
Pakistan may have thought they were in control after posting a massive 556 in their first innings, but England had other plans. The visiting team turned the tables by coming out with a batting masterclass. England’s aggressive batting style caught Pakistan off guard, especially with Joe Root’s double century and Harry Brook’s incredible triple century. Brook’s innings, the second-fastest triple century in Test history, left Pakistan reeling.
This level of aggression completely shattered Pakistan’s assumptions that their score of 556 would be enough to put pressure on England. Instead, it was Pakistan who found themselves under pressure after England’s gigantic total.
3. Pakistan’s Lack of Response to England’s Strategy
England’s approach in the Multan Test mirrored a strategy that India had recently employed against Bangladesh in the Kanpur Test. In that match, India adopted an aggressive batting style despite losing more than two days to rain. Similarly, England kept attacking Pakistan’s bowlers, despite the apparent flatness of the pitch.
Pakistan was unable to adapt and respond to England’s game plan. By the fourth day, Pakistan’s batsmen were under tremendous pressure. The second-innings collapse highlighted the team’s failure to regroup and mount a proper defense. Captain Shan Masood, who had scored a century in the first innings, was out for just 11 runs in the second. Veteran batsman Babar Azam failed in both innings, managing just a combined total of 24 runs, making it clear that Pakistan was unprepared to face England’s relentless pressure.
4. Psychological Pressure from England’s Lead
England’s massive lead of 267 runs played a significant role in breaking down Pakistan mentally. Although the pitch was still fairly benign, Pakistan’s batsmen crumbled under the weight of that psychological pressure. The lead was enough to create a sense of inevitability about the result, and Pakistan’s batting lineup quickly folded.
Six of Pakistan’s top-order batsmen failed to reach 100 runs in the second innings, with Abdullah Shafiq falling for a duck, despite having scored a century in the first innings. Key players like Saib Ayub, Saud Shakeel, and Mohammad Rizwan couldn’t withstand England’s bowling attack, and Pakistan’s batting collapsed. Injured bowler Abrar Ahmed did not come out to bat, further hampering their chances.
5. Personal Milestones Took Priority Over Team Goals
One of the most common criticisms leveled at the Pakistani team after the Multan Test was their focus on personal achievements rather than team success. Despite Abdullah Shafiq, Shan Masood, and Salman Agha scoring centuries in the first innings, those performances have been overshadowed by the team’s failure to secure a win or even a draw.
Many fans and analysts have voiced frustration that Pakistan’s players seem more interested in individual milestones than team victories. While personal achievements are important, they must contribute to the overall team effort. Pakistan’s inability to convert their big individual scores into a match-saving performance has only intensified this criticism.
The defeat in Multan has sparked widespread criticism of Pakistan’s cricket team, with many calling it one of the darkest days in recent history. The team’s over-reliance on defensive strategies, lack of preparedness for counterattacks, and failure to adapt to aggressive opposition tactics were all contributing factors to this crushing loss.
