MULTAN — England completed a breathtaking victory in the first Test against Pakistan, Jack Leach putting the finishing touches to a record-breaking week on the fifth morning in Multan.
The left-arm spinner snapped up the last three wickets on the final day, with last man Abrar Ahmed unable to bat due to illness, to secure one of the most remarkable results of the “Bazball” era.
The final winning margin was an innings and 47 runs, an unthinkable proposition when Pakistan ended with 556 runs on day two. No team in history has ever scored as many and gone on to lose without making their opponents bat twice.
Pakistan, shell-shocked at conceding a 267-run deficit, lost a cluster of wickets on the fourth evening and were finally rounded up by Leach for 220.
Batted like a dream for his 78 but must feel he missed out on a big score given what happened afterwards.
Battled dislocated thumb to make 84 from No 4 after his injury prevented him from opening. Good effort in the circumstances.
Out for a two-ball duck opening in his only innings, two dropped catches and a missed run out but captaincy improved in Pakistan’s second innings.
His sixth Test double century that saw him become England’s all-time leading run scorer was the bedrock of his team’s mammoth first-innings total.
His country’s first triple centurion since 1990 and a masterclass of an innings, 317 in 322 balls. Ridiculously good.
Keeping a little shaky towards the end of Pakistan’s first innings and his innings of 31 from 24 balls rather overshadowed.
Plugged away manfully for his two wickets and set tone at start of Pakistan’s second innings with first-ball dismissal of Abdullah Shafique.
Fine start to Test cricket continued even on a dead track. His four wickets played an important part in a famous win.
Quickest bowler on show proved the difference-maker in Pakistan’s second innings. Four wickets overall.
Showed he is England’s best spinner as he took seven wickets in the match. Welcome back, Jack, we’ve missed you.
Worrying performance from the supposed No 1 spinner. One wicket for 156 doesn’t make great reading. Dropped catch too on day four.
Additional reporting from the Press Association
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