England’s Joe Root, known for his sharp fielding skills, had an eventful Day 1 during the second Test against Pakistan in Multan. In a bid to break a strong partnership between Saim Ayub and debutant Kamran Ghulam, Root, along with skipper Ben Stokes, resorted to some unusual tactics in the field. After Pakistan suffered early setbacks, Ayub and Ghulam showed resilience, forging a solid 149-run stand for the third wicket and stabilizing Pakistan’s innings.
With bowlers struggling to dislodge the pair, Ben Stokes, returning to Test cricket after knee surgery, decided to step in as the bowler. Spotting signs of reverse swing, Stokes tried to exploit the conditions. However, the lack of bounce from the pitch didn’t help his cause, and thin edges were not carried to the wicketkeeper or slips.
WATCH – Mohammad Rizwan Escapes As Ben Stokes Miss DRS Call in Multan Test
It was then that Stokes and Root devised an unconventional fielding setup. Root, standing in the slip cordon, took the unusual step of wearing a helmet and positioning himself closer to the stumps, just ahead of wicketkeeper Jamie Smith. This tactic aimed to take advantage of any faint edges that might not reach the keeper. The sight of Root in a helmet, standing in the slip position, quickly became a talking point among fans on social media.
Joe Root wearing helmet while standing in Slips cordon on Day 1 of second Test vs Pakistan in Multan#PAKvsENG pic.twitter.com/u4h6fzR9Ol
— Virat AV (@av_vk18) October 15, 2024
Joe Root’s fielding adjustments paid off just before tea, when Saim Ayub, who was looking set for a century, misjudged a ball and was caught out for 77 off 160 balls. This breakthrough brought Pakistan’s score to 173/3, halting their momentum.
ALSO READ: “There will be a toss-up between Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav” – Aakash Chopra
As the day progressed, experienced batter Mohammad Rizwan took charge, playing a cautious yet steady innings alongside Agha Salman. By the end of Day 1, Pakistan managed to reach a respectable 259/5, with both Rizwan and Salman set to continue on Day 2.
Root’s innovative fielding and England’s persistence kept the game evenly poised, but Pakistan’s middle order showed enough grit to keep their hopes alive for the rest of the Test match.
