Pakistan’s Defensive Dilemma in Multan Test
Can Pakistan hold their aces and win this Test match? Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem likely. England are 96 for 1 after 90 overs, and if they bat through the third day, they could easily surpass 400 runs. This would bring them closer to Pakistan’s first-innings total of over 550. However, if New Zealand gets a quickfire 40-50 runs from their lower order, they might find themselves in a winning position.
Pakistan is well aware that the English batters, under the rejuvenation of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes, have been aggressive in their approach. England’s style focuses on scoring runs, and Pakistan will struggle to keep them in check, especially on the flat Multan pitch. The surface has offered little to no assistance for swing, seam, or spin bowling, making it even harder for the bowlers to take wickets through variations alone.
This creates a challenging scenario for Pakistan. Despite having a significant first-innings lead, they are mindful that England can still run away with the game. Even with more than 500 runs on the board, Pakistan’s recent losses may force them into a defensive mindset. They can’t afford to take too many risks or allow England to chase a manageable total on the fifth day.
If England needs to score 260-280 runs in 50 overs, they’ll back themselves to do it. That’s been their approach, and they have proven capable of executing such chases. Pakistan must be extremely cautious in how they manage the remainder of the match.
Ideally, a team that has posted over 500 runs in the first innings should push for victory, given the cushion of runs behind them. However, Pakistan are a bowler short, lacking that genuine wicket-taker who can grab 3-4 wickets and change the course of the game. This puts additional pressure on the team, and it appears likely they will adopt a defensive strategy.
Ultimately, while Pakistan has the upper hand in terms of runs, their lack of an aggressive approach and a key bowler may force them to play it safe, which could open the door for England to mount acomeback.
