Former England captain Nasser Hussain has criticized the lifeless pitch in Multan during the first Test between England and Pakistan. Hussain expressed concern that the pitch offered no assistance to bowlers.
This made the match heavily skewed in favour of the batsmen. Pakistan batted for nearly 150 overs, scoring 556 runs, while England comfortably ended Day 2 at 96-1.
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Hussain stressed that pitches like these harm the balance of Test cricket and could lead to dull contests.
What did Nasser Hussain say about Multan pitch?
Hussain was vocal about how the Multan pitch did not offer pace, bounce, or seam movement. England’s bowlers struggled to get anything from the pitch, while Pakistan’s batsmen took full advantage.
Even reverse swing, which is often present on dry pitches, was missing. Hussain noted that such batter-friendly conditions are not ideal for Test cricket, as they reduce the competition between bat and ball.
“Test cricket cannot afford for this pitch to continue playing in the same way for all five days. It is incredibly flat and, for the future of the longer format, pitches need to do something. At the moment, it has done nothing for two days. No spin, no swing, no reverse swing. It is too batter-friendly and Test cricket needs an even contest between bat and ball,” Nasser Hussain wrote in his column in the Daily Mail.
What did Nasser Hussain say on low crowd turnout in Multan?
Hussain also noted the effect that such pitches could have on the crowd. The Pakistan Cricket Board is already struggling hard to attract fans to the stadium, with the provision of free entry and reduced ticket prices.
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Their recent results, including a whitewash against Bangladesh at home, have resulted in a sparse crowd marking their presence for the first couple of days.
“You cannot afford 600 plays 500 plays 400, and then a draw. The crowds here in Multan are already sparse and, if it is like this for five days, soon nobody will come in,” he added.
What is England’s plan for Day 3?
England will be looking to get as close as possible to Pakistan’s total on Day 3. Zak Crawley and Joe Root were unbeaten at the end of Day 2, and while the pitch is still flat, there is hope that it might deteriorate as the game progresses.
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Hussain pointed out that cracks on the surface could widen, and England will need to take advantage of any changes in the conditions.
“There are still three sunny days ahead, which will hopefully have an impact on the surface. The pitch has got cracks in it and, while it has done nothing from those so far, it might deteriorate as the sun beats down,” Hussain wrote.
As the Test continues, all eyes will be on how the pitch plays out. While the current conditions heavily favour the batsmen, any changes on Day 3 could shift the game. For now, Hussain’s concerns highlight the need for better-balanced pitches to ensure a good contest in Test cricket.
