The first Test between Pakistan and England, in Multan, has been a run-fest so far. Shan Masood-led hosts opted to bat first on Day 1, on Monday (Oct 7), and rode on skipper’s 152, Abdullah Shafique’s 102 and Agha Salman’s 104 to post 556. In reply, England ended Day 3, on Wednesday (Oct 9) at 492 for 3. So far, two English batters (Joe Root and Harry Brook) have also scored centuries as runs continue to pile up in Multan. Thus, former England captain Kevin Pietersen thrashed the nature of the surface and feels it is a ‘bowler’s graveyard’. In addition, it is destroying Test cricket if it doesn’t favour the bowlers in the remaining days.
“Still a bowler’s graveyard! If this wicket doesn’t crumble and produce a result, it’s helping DESTROY Test cricket,” Pietersen wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Still a bowlers graveyard! If this wicket doesn’t crumble and produce a result, it’s helping DESTROY Test cricket.
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) October 9, 2024
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Over the years, the pitches used for Test matches in Pakistan have been slammed from all corners for not producing an even contest. The ongoing Multan Test will surely add to this noise if the surface continues to be a cakewalk for batters.
Talking about Day 3, England batters dominated proceedings, resorting to their aggressive approach, and went to stumps at 492/3, coming close to Pakistan’s 556 courtesy of Root’s 176* and Harry Brook’s unbeaten 141. The two have stitched an unbeaten 243 runs for the fourth-wicket as bowlers continue to suffer in Multan.
Meanwhile, Root continued his merry run by becoming the highest run-getter for England in Tests and slamming his 35th ton on Wednesday. He looks destined for a daddy hundred, being just 24 away from a double ton.
