New Delhi: Pakistan spinner Sajid Khan wreaked havoc on the England batting line-up towards the end of Day 2’s play in the 2nd Test between the two teams in Multan on Wednesday. Sajid was included in the playing XI after the selectors made a bold decision to drop the likes of Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah from the 2nd Test against the visitors.
The 31-year-old spinner repaid the faith shown in him by the selectors with a brilliant 4-wicket haul in England’s first innings on Day 2 in Multan. Sajid opened his account with the important scalp of England’s no.3 Ollie Pope before dismissing the in-form Joe Root and centurion Ben Duckett in quick succession.
The spinner then went on to steal the show by bamboozling Harry Brook with an absolute ripper to finish with a 4-wicket haul on Day 2. It was a magical delivery from the off-spinner, who breached Brook’s defence to send him packing cheaply. The dismissal took place on the final delivery of the 44th over of England’s innings.
Sajid made full use of the low bounce on offer from the track as he pitched the ball slightly outside off. Brook was beaten by sharp turn as the ball nipped in viciously to leave the England batter stunned by rattling his stumps. Brook, who slammed a triple century in the 1st Test, was dismissed on 9 off just 9 balls.
Watch Sajid Khan’s ripper to bamboozle Harry Brook:
The Sajid celebration has caught on everywhere 🕺#PAKvENG | #TestAtHome pic.twitter.com/1cvt63vvqJ
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 16, 2024
Sajid Khan dismisses Root, Duckett and Brook inside 10 balls
England were cruising in their first innings before Sajid rattled them with three quick wickets towards the end of Day 2’s play in Multan. He bagged the important wickets of Root, Duckett and Brook inside just 10 balls to reduce England from 211/2 to 225/5 in a matter of minutes.
Had it not been for Duckett’s brilliant knock of 114 runs, England could have been in deep trouble at the end of the 2nd day’s play. Pakistan also lost the wicket of captain Ben Stokes right before the end of play on Wednesday to finish with 239/6 at the stumps.
3 massive wickets for Sajid Khan in 10 balls
ROOT ✅
DUCKET ✅
BROOK ✅— M (@anngrypakiistan) October 16, 2024
England are trailing Pakistan’s first-innings total of 366 runs by 127 runs and will need a special effort from their tail-enders on Day 3 to ensure they are not completely bowled out of the game. England will hope to not concede a lead of more than 100 runs as it will put the hosts on top in the 2nd Test.
