Ben Duckett’s brisk half-century propelled England to 88-1 at tea on day two of the second Test against Pakistan in Multan, in response to the hosts’ 366-run total.
At the break, Duckett was unbeaten on 53, while Ollie Pope remained on five, with England trailing by 278 runs and nine wickets still intact. Zak Crawley was the only wicket to fall, dismissed for 27.
Duckett reached his 12th Test half-century in just 47 balls as England quickly countered Pakistan’s bowling, which featured only one frontline seamer, Aamer Jamal.
Pakistan brought on off-spinner Sajid Khan as early as the second over, aiming for a breakthrough, but opener Crawley survived two close calls. At 49-0, Crawley narrowly escaped a run-out when Sajid hit the stumps, with the opener stranded after being sent back by Duckett. Crawley then successfully overturned a leg-before decision but was eventually caught behind off left-arm spinner Noman Ali, with Pakistan winning a review after the on-field decision was not out.
Earlier, Jack Leach claimed 4-114 to help dismiss Pakistan for 366, while pacers Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts chipped in with 3-50 and 2-66 respectively. Pakistan, who resumed on 259-5, added 107 runs in the morning session. Debutant Kamran Ghulam top-scored with 118, while Saim Ayub contributed 77.
Pakistan’s tail frustrated England, with Aamer Jamal and Noman Ali sharing an unbroken 49-run partnership for the ninth wicket, leaving the hosts at 358-8 by lunch. England struck early on a pitch that offered spin and reverse swing, with Carse dismissing Mohammad Rizwan for 41, and Potts removing Salman Agha for 31.
Leach added his third wicket by dismissing Sajid Khan for two, while Ghulam’s century on the opening day anchored Pakistan’s innings. England, leading the three-match series 1-0 after an innings victory in the first Test, are well-positioned heading into the next phase of the game.