Key events
Simon Burnton’s day one report
On this pitch, selected and prepared specifically to assist spinners, England bowled 15 consecutive overs of seam, took two wickets and conceded only 40 runs, even though for most of that time half a dozen fielders were spread in an intimidating parabola around the batter, leaving wide expanses of empty grass behind them.
Preamble
Morning darling. One of cricket’s charms – although some might use a less complimentary word – of cricket is that you can watch for six hours and still not know who’s winning. That was the case on a quietly compelling first/sixth day in Multan, which ended with Pakistan on 259 for 5.
Pakistan have put all their chips on spin bowling, yet it was England’s quicks who were the most threatening and economical. This used pitch will surely go rogue at some stage, so England’s first innings could decide the match. In short, this is a big day. By the end, we might even know who’s winning.
