Aamer Jamal made a sensational return to the Pakistan team, giving them the ideal start with the ball in the second over against England. Ollie Pope attempted a pull shot off Naseem Shah, looking to send the ball to the boundary. At first glance, it seemed safe, but Jamal leapt to his right and pulled off a stunning one-handed catch, leaving the crowd in Multan roaring with excitement.
The Pakistan players joined in the celebrations, with Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi rushing over to congratulate Aamer Jamal for his brilliance. Pope, the England captain, departed without scoring, giving Pakistan the momentum they needed after a disheartening 2-0 series loss to Bangladesh.
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Aamer Jamal, who had missed the Bangladesh series due to a back injury, had previously impressed in Australia, and his return to the team was immediately impactful. Now, Pakistan will rely on him to deliver with the ball, an area where they’ve faced challenges in recent matches.
UNBELIEVABLE CATCH 😲
Aamir Jamal pucks it out of thin air to send back the England captain 👌#PAKvENG | #TestAtHome pic.twitter.com/MY3vsto4St
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 8, 2024
In the first innings, Pakistan posted a formidable 556 runs, thanks to centuries from captain Shan Masood and opener Abdullah Shafique. Their solid performances laid the groundwork for the middle order to flourish. Saud Shakeel contributed with 82 runs, while Agha Salman remained unbeaten with an impressive 104. After struggling with the bat against Bangladesh, this dominant display was just the comeback Pakistan needed.
England’s bowlers had a tough day on the field, with spinner Jack Leach managing to pick up three wickets. Brydon Carse and Gus Atkinson chipped in with two wickets each, but the flat pitch offered them little assistance.
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When England began their innings, Zak Crawley took charge after Pope’s dismissal, playing his usual aggressive style. Joe Root provided steady support, anchoring the innings. As the match heads into Day 3, England will aim to build a lead, but if they falter, the game could end in a draw. For Pakistan, the objective is clear—pick the remaining nine wickets quickly and secure a victory.
