- England lead the three-match series against Pakistan 1-0 after impressive win
- Hosts are first team to lose by innings after scoring 500 or more in first innings
- England can secure third straight series win when second Test starts on Tuesday
This has got to go down as one of England’s most remarkable wins away from home. Having conceded 556 in the first innings, to then be able to score so many runs and so quickly to get themselves a lead and to be able to find a way to get 20 wickets was incredible.
When Ben Stokes took over as captain, he said England were not interested in draws. If you are going to talk the talk, make sure you walk the walk, and they have absolutely done that. They continue to break records and make history.
Here in Multan, I particularly liked their ruthlessness with the bat. They have definitely changed their approach after losing 4-1 in India at the start of the year.
Everyone says they were completely outplayed throughout that series when in fact, in the Test matches they lost, they were in positions where the result could have gone the other way if they were a little bit more ruthless. Since then, that Bazball reset has happened.
For example, how many times has Joe Root played a reverse scoop before getting to 100? All of his reverse scoops come after.
England claimed record-breaking win over Pakistan and a 1-0 lead in the three-match series
England were particularly ruthlessness with the bat as they scored 823 in their first innings
The most impressive thing is that England’s batting unit as a whole have managed to show a ruthlessness while still scoring at five an over. They have managed to keep their attacking instinct and play positive cricket, but they have just been hungry for runs and put their foot on the opposition when they are down.
Every bit of brilliance that they showed with the bat against Pakistan, they were almost as good with the ball, given this was an inexperienced bowling attack. Chris Woakes has been around for a long time, but even he has not bowled in Asia since 2016.
Brydon Carse was a real plus to come out of this Test. On debut, in these conditions on a really flat pitch, he showed his ability and versatility. The match was won by England when they reduced Pakistan to 80-6 on Thursday night and a lot of that was down to Carse.
Gus Atkinson impressed as well. After his brilliant first Test summer, you hoped he could convert his form with a Dukes ball in English conditions away from home. Well, he showed here that he can be threatening away from home on a road of a pitch and can get great players out like Babar Azam.
So it looks like England have really added to their stock of fast bowlers in time for Australia next year.
There is still a bit to work on, in particular their catching and trying to get Shoaib Bashir to bowl more of an attacking line.
The travelling fans got to see one of England’s most remarkable wins away from home
England spin bowling coach Jeetan Patel said after day one that they had to look after Bashir and give him fields to defend. But in the second innings they had 800 runs on the board and the opposition 80-6 and Bashir still bowled a leg stump line. His role has to be try and get wickets in these conditions and in Australia.
The challenge now for England is to back it up in these conditions because this match would have taken a lot out of the seamers. They may look to refresh things and bring in Matthew Potts.
As for how they bring Ben Stokes back in, it depends on his level of his fitness.
If he is only fit enough to bat, he may just sit it out and get a few more days of training into his legs. Otherwise Ollie Pope would be the most vulnerable because you need your full bowling quota in these hot conditions on that pitch.
If Stokes can bowl a bit, I would maybe consider having him as the fourth seamer and bringing him in for Bashir. This pitch didn’t turn much, even on day five. Jack Leach’s wickets weren’t from big turning deliveries. But if you think it’s going to spin, then you’d keep your two spinners.
Yorkshire duo Joe Root (left) and Harry Brook (right) led the way with their record-breaking partnership
If Stokes was going to be completely fit, you’d possibly bring him in for someone like Woakes. But I don’t think you can have Stokes as a third seamer in these conditions coming back from a long and serious injury. It would be too much of a risk and would ask too much of your other two seamers.
As for Pakistan, they are at a very low point. They have now lost six Tests in a row and have just announced a new selection committee.
They are in turmoil and I can’t see this England side resting on their laurels or taking their foot off the gas.
