England’s spinner Jack Leach outfoxed Pakistani opener Abdullah Shafique during the eighth over of the first innings in the second Test match between Pakistan and England at the Multan Cricket Stadium.
Jack Leach’s masterful delivery dismisses Abdullah Shafique
The delivery, which was a stunning example of Leach’s craft, sent Shafique packing for just 7 runs off 28 balls, paving the way for England to assert their dominance early in the match.
Bowling at a speed of 88.4 kph, Leach showcased his ability to deceive the batter. Shafique, attempting to block the ball, expected it to angle in. Instead, Leach’s cleverly disguised in-drifter pitched around the middle of the wicket and spun sharply away, completely evading Shafique’s bat before crashing into the off-stump. This spectacular delivery not only highlighted Leach’s mastery over spin bowling but also marked a crucial breakthrough for England as they sought to build on their momentum from the first Test.
Here is the video:
First wicket down
Abdullah Shafique gone 🚨#PAKvsENG #PakistanCricket #INDvsSL #لبنان #LingOrm pic.twitter.com/GfH68P4uU0
— Sports and Atheletics (@Sportsatheletic) October 15, 2024
Thus far in the match, Leach has been in exceptional form, claiming two wickets, including the vital scalp of Pakistan’s captain, Shan Masood. His performance has been instrumental in England’s efforts to bounce back after Pakistan’s heavy defeat in the first Test.
Also WATCH: Pakistan captain Shan Masood falls cheaply to Jack Leach on Day 1 of 2nd Test | PAK vs ENG
Pakistan looks to bounce back in the series
As the third session of Day 1 is going on, Pakistan found themselves at 245 runs with the loss of five wickets. Following the early dismissals of Shafique and Masood, opener Saim Ayub and debutant Kamran Ghulam stepped up to stabilize the innings. Ayub played a remarkable innings, scoring a well-crafted half-century before being dismissed for 77. Meanwhile, Ghulam, who was making his Test debut, displayed resilience at the crease, accumulating an impressive118 runs as he looked to anchor Pakistan’s innings.
With the second Test match in progress, Pakistan are keen to level the series after their disappointing outing in the previous match. As the action continues at Multan Cricket Stadium, all eyes will be on Ghulam and the rest of the batting lineup to see if they can post a competitive total and challenge England’s formidable bowling attack.
Also WATCH: Jason Gillespie, Shan Masood console Babar Azam after his omission from the remaining Tests | PAK vs ENG
For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.
