Key events
40th over: England 208-5 (Stokes 19, Jacks 19) A temporary halt to Bazball.
39th over: England 206-5 (Stokes 17, Jacks 19) Babar chases the ball to the brink of the rope to huge cheers, and stops four leg byes. The crowd starting to spread and shout, murmurating.
There’s a parallel universe where Adil Rashid, winning his 60th Test cap, is sat in the England dressing room in Multan right now licking his lips
— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) December 9, 2022
38th over: England 202-5 (Stokes 16, Jacks 19) Jacks stands and slams Nawaz for 6 to overtake Stokes.
37th over: England 19-5 (Stokes 15, Jacks 12) Jacks sweeps Abrar for four to break the Pakistan hold and ooof! he is utterly befuddled by one out of the back of the hand. He steps back, it spins in and passes the top of the stumps by the width of a cough.
36th over: England 189-5 (Stokes 15, Jacks 8) Jacks sweeps a couple, drives with worryingly hard wrists but it doesn’t carry to extra-cover.
35th over: England 184-5 (Stokes 15, Jacks 3) Abrar continues to toss it high and temptingly. England demurely flutter their petticoats.
Afternoon session
34th over: England 181-5 (Stokes 14, Jacks 1) Nawaz fires it in and immediately finds some turn. Just the single. Careful hands.
“Who would have credited a year ago that losing Duckett was a key moment, but losing Root isn’t….” taps Charles Sheldrick, Deepest Darkest Devon, currently -7.5
The most impressive thing about the very impressive Abrar was that he didn’t lose his nerve when England were tonking him about.
“The problem with the shit or bust approach on a spinning pitch is that you both lose the advantage of tiring out the opposition and possibly bowling last on a fifth day pitch.”
Alex Webster is on team Stokes. “I don’t think this team are interested in consolidating and I agree with them. They have a clear vision to play to their collective strengths. Probably the only poor dismissal was Brook, who was playing a shot based on the previous pitch not the one he was watching for an hour from the pavilion. They have 180 at almost 6 an over. They can continue to “fail” like this and still end up scoring 275-300 which in the old days was a reasonable score on a difficult pitch. Keep going!”
This is the nub. It isn’t more moral to score 350 in a day than in a day and three quarters. Even if it might feel more like it if you are in a hair-shirt mood.
Athers and Nasser are my very favourite commentators to drink coffee too on a Friday morning with it -6 outside. They’re discussing why Stokes never tried to change the culture when Root was captain. Stokes is extremely loyal, says Athers. Stokes was asked about it and said, “I stood by Joe Root every step of the way,” “Some people are just born leaders,” says Athers, “born a bit different. And Stokes is one of them.”
Mr Abrar Ahmed @ 24 years debuts with 5 for 70 at lunch on day 1 in Multan. A rarity indeed!!
— IJAZ DURRANI (@IJAZDURRANI12) December 9, 2022
Living the dream!
In the studio, Stuart Broad is carrying off new fatherhood with aplomb.
In Multan, Michael Atherton says that there is no dishonour in an honourable draw.
“Hello from under two duvets in Notting Hill,” writes James Walsh. “When my girlfriend got up for her early shift, she was mildly confused that I joined her for coffee rather than drifting back to sleep.
“Winter tours feel like a collective secret for us cricket fans; also, when alone, a reassuring reminder that life is going on out there somewhere.”
Beautifully put.
“This is a huge test of the new approach,” writes Steve Hudson. “Do they consolidate now and take their time, or do they try to keep scoring at a run a ball? Call me an old fogey but consolidating looks the best option to me”
I’m intrigued too – but I just don’t think Stokes has it in him to revert to slow and steady. Play resumes at 8.30 GMT. I’m going to go and grab a coffee and wake up my son. Back shortly!
Lunch: England 180-5 (Abrar Ahmed 5-70)
33rd over: England 180-5 (Stokes 14, Jacks 0) Stokes is twitchy. He sweep Abrar for four, then jimmys him just – just- over the fielder at long-on, before carving a short ball away through extra cover for four. A couple of dots to finish and that is LUNCH!
Abrar leads Pakistan off the field, with a shy little wave. Five before sandwiches on debut.
32ndover: England 170-5 (Stokes 4, Jacks 0) An over-excited Pakistan lose a review after trying to overturn a not-out lbw against Stokes against Nawaz.
”Won’t someone spare a thought for the poor umpires this morning?” taps the empathetic Brian Withington. “Sweeps and reverse sweeps galore, wrist spinners in tandem and run a ball scoring – no wonder they are having ‘a bit of a mare’ with so many overturned reviews.”
31st over: England 167-5 (Stokes 1, Jacks 0) Only seven bowlers in Test history have dismissed England’s top five on the first morning of a Test. Welcome to five-day cricket Abrar Ahmed!
WICKET! Brook c Nawaz b Abrar 9 (England 167-5)
Oh my! Brook slaps the ball up into the stratosphere and Nawaz does brilliantly to take it, trying to block out the sun with one hand before safely holding on with both. Abrar picks up five on the first morning of his first Test! He bends and kisses the ground and Babar almost eats him
30th over: England 166-4 ( Brook 9, Stokes o) The last man to dismiss the England top four in the opening innings of a Test – Shane Warne in 2005.
29th over: England 164-4 ( Brook 7, Stokes o) What a debut for Abrar, a fourth wicket as England have a brief attack of the collie-wobbles. Stokes pats away the remaining two balls of the over.
WICKET! Pope c Shafique b Abrar 60 (England 164-4)
A furious Ollie Pope, eyes flashing, bursting through his vest in huge temper, stalks away after reverse-sweeping in the air, straight to backward point. Done by some extra bounce.
28th over: England 162-3 ( Pope 58, Brook 7) Pope tucks into Nawaz – just realised that today’s extended first session and hour for lunch is because of Friday prayers.
Solidarity for Ben Foakes from one who knows…
Sounds familiar….can hear the same sentences echoing in my head from the distant past #selection
— Jack Russell MBE (@jackrussellart) December 8, 2022
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27th over: England 153-3 ( Pope 51, Brook 5) A tenth over from Abrar, three for 57. I think he’d take that, as would Babar but England’s scoring rate of six an over is going to continue to cause Pakistan problems.
Does anyone have snow yet? There was a small flurry yesterday afternoon as I went out to buy some vegetarian sausages.
Fifty for Ollie Pope!
26th over: England 151-3 ( Pope 50, Brook 5) Yet another fifty for Pope, with a single off Nawaz. He started with a reverse-sweep, survived early Abrar, overturned being given out on the field, and has eased into stylish accumulation. Off just 52 balls.
25th over: England 151-3 ( Pope 49, Brook 5) A third wicket for Abrar. Brook marches in and from a crouch, slaps Abrar for four through mid-on. We’re not about to pause for lunch, Aggers tells me, as they’re going to play for another half hour. But what about my coffee?
WICKET! Root lbw 8 (England 145-3)
After waiting an age for ultra-edge to show us that Root didn’t hit it, ball tracking sends Root on his way! A third wicket for Abrar and Pakistan are bouncing with delight. Yet another on-field decision overturned.
REVIEW! Root lbw Abrar 8
Hit on the back leg… given not out on the pitch… Babar goes for the review with almost a shrug …
24th over: England 145-2 ( Pope 48, Root 8)A change of bowling, some slow left from the immaculately bearded Mohammad Nawaz. Well controlled, but Pope picks ups a couple from his reverse-sweep thanks to a clodhopping misfield at backward point. Four leg byes.
If I wasn’t awake half an hour ago, I am after listening to the last few overs @tjaldred. Away Tests in Asia are a delight on the ears, but this England team are not soporific like the past. With Duckett out, #GilbertJessopWatch is over, at least until Brook is in.
— Guy Hornsby (@GuyHornsby) December 9, 2022
23rd over: England 138-2 ( Pope 46, Root 7) Abrar again, a few more starting to fill the stands now. Pope, busy, busy, looks a little out of breath. I wonder if that’s the air quality?
22nd over: England 133-2 ( Pope 43, Root 5) Mahmood, tall, with a high arm. Root pats away two to get off the mark. A Pope boundary stopped with some nifty footwork on the boundary.
21st over: England 126-2 ( Pope 40, Root 1) Abrar runs through his variations and England chalk up another four.
“Two wrist spinners?” writes John Starbuck. “The convention is that a leggie/wrist spinner will go for plenty of runs, but will also get you wickets. It’s quite a thing for Brighter Cricket though.”
Too right! It’s cracking entertainment, even if they do get through their overs rather too quickly for my liking.
20th over: England 122-2 ( Pope 37, Root 0) Ollie Pope slams Zahid Mahmood through the covers for four – no wickets are going to slow down this runaway train.
19th over: England 117-2 ( Pope 32, Root 0) Abrar with two in his pocket on debut!
WICKET! Duckett lbw Abrar 63 (England 117-2)
This time given not out on the field…Pakistan choose to review after Duckett is hit on the pad sweeping…he’s clopped on the pad and DRS sends him on his way. He marches away, helmet pulled half up, as is his wont. A super-smart innings but a second wicket for Abrar.
REVIEW: Duckett lbw Abrar 61 – NOT OUT!
Ooof – Duckett survives! Reverse-sweeping and missing, he’s given out on the field, he reviews and, after an age, the TV umpire gives him the benefit of the doubt after he seems to have been hit on the glove.
Fifty for Ben Duckett!
18th over: England 115-1 (Duckett 61, Pope 32) The drinks instruction from the England dressing-room seems to have been ONWARDS. Pope immediately reverse-sweeps for four, then Duckett reaches fifty with a jiggle past slip, past a diving Babar. He celebrates by slamming Mahmood for six next ball, and driving through cover for four more. Mahmood squeezes his eyebrows together as Babar waves his field somewhat ineffectively.
17th over: England 97-1 (Duckett 48, Pope 27) Abrar chews his (extremely long) right thumb pensively, as Duckett reverse-sweeps him twice for four in the over. As Vic Marks says, he’s not bowled badly, it’s just England are out to un-nerve him.
They take DRINKS! England continue to accumulate at an extremely fast rate, against two wrist spinners.
16th over: England 86-1 (Duckett 39, Pope 25) Tip and run for England, who are sweeping for fun.
15th over: England 79-1 (Duckett 38, Pope 19) Abrar shimmies through another over, which England tuck into, picking up ten, though not without peril. A flamboyant twinkle-toed four by Pope, who is very busy this morning.
14th over: England 69-1 (Duckett 34, Pope 13) Imam ul Haq gets cracked on the shin by a sweep from Duckett and magic spray is applied liberally. A super first over from Zahid Mahmood, who immediately finds fizz. Pope gropes at a couple and is then given out to an lbw that looks very out, but on review it turns out it hit his glove. Pope reverse-sweeps immediately next ball, the cocky young pup.
13th over: England 66-1 (Duckett 33, Pope 11) A good riposte by Abrar, containing England to just the one run.
12th over: England 65-1 (Duckett 32, Pope 11) Mohammad Ali it is, under grubby skies, almost lit up by a wintry sun. Duckett, who has a touch of the Mike Gattings about him, though in a 21st century way, pulls with authority for four. Pope picks up a handy fistful of singles.
“Good morning Tanya (and John Starbuck!).” Hello Brian Withington.
“Looks like the fog is slowly burning off in Multan, whilst here in Dorridge, ‘it’s bloody freezin’ innit?’, as Cery Matthews might put it. Can I confess to being quietly relieved that England’s openers have refrained from too many pyrotechnics so far, as some of us more mature OBOers are still recovering from the utter glorious madness of the first test.”
11th over: England 55-1 (Duckett 27, Pope 6) Ok, England are obviously try to slap Abrar out of the attack. Oh cruel Duckett, sweeping two looping deliveries for two consecutive fours.
10th over: England 44-1 (Duckett 18, Pope 4) Just a couple off Mohammad Ali, who continues to plug away.
Ben Barclay asks, “ In the picture, the stands are empty. Can you please elaborate?” Hi Ben, there only seems to be handful, though they are lively enough – some Jersualem-singing Barmy Army and some Pakistan musicians. The commentators were saying they expect more to come in as the day passes. Play started at 10am Multan time.
9th over: England 42-1 (Duckett 16, Pope 4) Aha! The debutant rolls up, a touch of sun cream and a pair of glasses. He tosses up his first ball, Crawley picks up two. He continues to toss it up and what a way to start Test cricket! Crawley done by one that he flicks away. Pope, in a power Bazz move, reverse-sweeps him for four first ball.
WICKET! Crawley b Abrar 19 (England 38-1)
A wicket with his fifth ball in Test cricket! Crawley done like a kipper playing around a highfalutin googly. Bat under arm, he marches off as Abrar is mobbed.
8th over: England 36-0 (Crawley 16, Duckett 16) Two sweet boundaries for England, another imperious drive from Crawley and a mid-on flurry from Duckett.
7th over: England 27-0 (Crawley 12, Duckett 12) Duckett slams Faheem through backward point for four and another three off his waist. England picking up the pace here.
6th over: England 18-0 (Crawley 5, Duckett 7) A maiden for Mohammad Ali, who is having a much better start to this Test than the last.
“Any news about the pitch?” asks Andrew Miles. “Dusty road again or any signs of something different?
“I’m only up because I thought I heard an intruder, but I’m pretty certain that there’s no one there. I’d get up and check but it’s cold.”
I have no evidence for this but I feel burglars are less common when it is below freezing. It would put me off anyway. Perhaps turn up the volume on TMS, I’m sure that will scare him off. Anyway, the pitch looks slightly less road-like and ore likely to crack up and take spin.
5th over: England 18-0 (Crawley 11, Duckett 5) Ooof, a touch of spin from Faheem as he sends down a cutter. Another snazzy on drive for four from Crawley.
4th over: England 14-0 (Crawley 11, Duckett 5) The drums beat out a rhythm in the stands. A good scattering for now, but they’re expecting more in later. Lots of excitement about 24 year old bespectacled mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed. Just three off Ali’s over.
The hardest Pakistan have gone for spin for a long time. Not even in Misbah era that I can remember. Just one specialist pacer (love Faheem but he’s an allrounder) – last time seems to be Karachi 1980, 42 years ago!https://t.co/442b7aRdpN
— Osman Samiuddin (@OsmanSamiuddin) December 9, 2022
The hardest Pakistan have gone for spin for a long time. Not even in Misbah era that I can remember. Just one specialist pacer (love Faheem but he’s an allrounder) – last time seems to be Karachi 1980, 42 years ago!https://t.co/442b7aRdpN
— Osman Samiuddin (@OsmanSamiuddin) December 9, 2022
3rd over: England 11-0 (Crawley 4, Duckett 5) This is the first time Faheem Ashraf has taken the new ball in 15 Tests. Crawley off the mark with a long-legged square drive in a top hat and tails.
“Good morning, Tanya,” hello John Starbuck!
“For once, I’m up before the larks (in both senses). I suppose one might say ‘before the bats have gone to bed’ except in this weather they should all be hibernating in their roosts. Before the owls turn in?” Too-whit, Too-who.
2nd over: England 6-0 (Crawley 0, Duckett 5) Duckett tickles Mohammad Ali behind and picks up a squeeze of a boundary. Some smart fielding in the ring cuts off another and all in all a much better start for Pakistan.
Morning session
1st over: England 0-0 (Crawley 0, Duckett) Faheem Ashraf has the ball on a pitch cracked like a hard-boiled egg given a medium crack. And, against all the odds, he pulls out a maiden.
There’s a touch of fog in the air but they start on time!
Pakistan XI
Pakistan: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam (capt), Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Zahid Mahmood, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Ali
Three changes confirmed: the injured Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf plus Azhar Ali miss out, mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed makes his Test debut, joined by slow left armer Mohammad Nawaz and seam bowling allrounder Faheem Ashraf.
England XI
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (wk), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Will Jacks, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, Mark Wood, James Anderson.
Just the one change, Wood for the injured Livingstone.
England win the toss and will bat
Buckle up!
Air pollution
One definite issue is today’s air quality in Multan, rated as unhealthy. Polluted air is particularly detrimental to people doing exercise, as well as children, pregnant women and old people. Where is the ICC?
The air quality in Multan on Friday is rated unhealthy. The PM2.5 concentration is 13.6 times the WHO annual air quality guideline value, with recommendations to wear a mask outdoors and avoid outdoor exercise. Pretty tricky on day one of a Test @ECB_cricket @TheRealPCB @ICC
— TheNextTest (@TheNextTest) December 8, 2022
Greetings from a cold and frosty UK. The carols are playing and from here things look bright in Multan, one of the least high-profile cricket stadiums in the world. The ground only made its Test debut in 2001, today’s second Test between England and Pakistan will be its fifth bells and whistles Test cap.
What have we learned in the, er, three days since the totally amazeballs end to the last Test with all those men prowling close enough to pull the loose threads on Mohammad Ali’s shirt and the light dramatically drawing in? Well, Ben Stokes has stroked his beard and suggested he might go for some even more extreme tactics because of Multan’s early-morning fog and the late-afternoon dusk. At this stage, nothing would be surprising.
Team wise, Mark Wood replaces the injured Liam Livingstone, in a not-like-for-like swap; while Ollie Pope keeps the gloves over the recovered Ben Foakes – which is rotten luck, if understandable from an England point of view.
Pakistan look as if they will be without Naseem Shah after he hurt himself in the first Test, and are definitely without the injured Haris Rauf. Babar Azam is reported to have asked for a spinning pitch – but let’s wait and see.
Right , I must go to bed and get a few hours sleep. See you soon – play starts at 5am GMT.
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