England secured a Test series win over Pakistan with a 26-run victory in the second Test in Multan on Monday (December 12).
The Babar Azam-led side lost the opening Test by 74 runs on a lifeless Rawalpindi pitch. The Test match was heading towards a draw before England made a brave declaration in their second innings at 264/7, setting a target of 343 for the hosts, who were bowled out for 268 minutes before the close of play on Day 5.
England won the opening Test by 74 runs on a lifeless Rawalpindi pitch. The Test match was heading towards a draw before the visitors made a brave declaration in their second innings at 264/7, setting a target of 343 for the hosts, who were bowled out for 268 minutes before the close of play on Day 5.
In the second Test, the tourists were tested on a spinning track. While the Three Lions took a healthy first-innings lead of 79 runs, they bundled out Pakistan for 328 while defending 355 in the fourth innings to seal the series.
Speaking to Sky Sports, former cricketer-turned-commentator Nasser Hussain said that the visitors had to dig deep to register a historic win over Pakistan.
"Two very docile pitches, two very different pitches and this one spun. They've had to work so, so hard to pull off those victories. You spare a thought for Pakistan, they were 10 minutes away from getting a draw in the last game and they were 20-odd runs away here, and that shows the effort England had to put in," Hussain said.
This was England's eighth win in nine Tests under the leadership of captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum.
"They didn't just walk over Pakistan, they had to put in a real effort. They will learn from this. McCullum is no fool, he will sit there and he will think about that 73-5. Stokes will not say it on the interview, because he wants clear messaging like Morgan's men and that white-ball revolution. But McCullum will say to his team, 'Well done, you got over the line but just think about that 73-5.' He will hope that next time they think about that, and they can't just keep going this close, because a better side may just knock them and say, 'Don't take the mick out of the game," Hussain added.
The third and final Test will be played at the National Stadium in Karachi from December 17.
